I’m going to begin today’s message by having us read the 2nd Psalm, and after the reading we will pray, and I’ll explain why we are in this text this morning:
Psalm 2 (KJV)
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
It’s the Christmas season! And as I explained last week…
Ecclesiastes 3: 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. -NIV
I’m going to make another confession this morning. I’m not much of a calendar keeper, not like my wife Linda, no sire. She has a white board calendar, were she writes in the month, dates, appointments, holidays, birthdays, etc. I don’t do that, so days and seasons, tend to sneak up on me, like Christmas!
Yet this year, what reminded me that the season was approaching was one day, long before, Christmas decorations appeared on houses and businesses, I was driving in my vehicle one da, just flipped on the radio, and just hit the search button on it, and a song came up that took me by surprise but I admit, put a smile on my face, and kind of lifted my mood. The song lyrics go like this…
Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet
Oh ho, the mistletoe hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't here
Oh by golly, have a holly jolly Christmas this year
And at the conclusion of the song, the station announced that it would be playing Christmas songs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, right up into the New Year!
Why do they do that?
Regardless of your religious beliefs, Christmas is universally considered a time of love, joy, peace, family, giving, receiving, and hope. Christmas music is filled with these messages that warm your heart by reminding you of what you love most about the holiday.
Holiday Music is a Genre that Almost Everyone Loves. Most people have specific types of music that they just don’t like. Some may hate country music while others despise rap, and some may dislike classical music while others don’t care for pop. But holiday music is so diverse — and yet so cohesive — that it somehow manages to steal almost everyone’s interest
There’s something about “that Christmas feeling” that words can’t describe, but the music can capture. There’s a feeling associated with the whole Christmas season, a feeling of warmth, love, peace, and joy that wonderfully counterbalances the frigid December cold. Christmas music captures that feeling with a few beautifully pieced together melodies, harmonies, accompaniment, and (often) lyrics.
I think that many of us in this room can relate to that when it comes to Christian Christmas Hymns. There is a feeling, a mood, a mind-set, a sense of peace when we sing…
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Away in a manger no crib for a bed
The little lord jesus laid down his sweet head
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay
The little lord jesus asleep on the hay.
There is kind of a sweetness to these songs and a sentimentality we feel when we sing them.
Well as I prayerfully considered how I would approach my 22nd Christmas at New Beginning Church, I felt led to reach for another song book. The Jewish song book. The one that is in your bible, called the book of Psalms.
It is a book that is sectioned into 5 different books. It is a book that was written over a period of about one thousand years from the time of Moses (about 1500 B.C.) to the time of Ezra (about 450 B.C.).
In Hebrew the title basically means "Songs of Praise" or Praises"
A) Psalm – ????? – zamar - to sing, sing praise, make music
B) Psalms - ?a?µ??- psalmos
1. A striking, twanging
2. The striking the chords of a musical instrument
3. A pious song
But not all of it’s content is a song,
Let me start by giving us a little information about the book of Psalms. The word Psalms..
Psalm – ????? – zamar - to sing, sing praise, make music
Psalms - ?a?µ??- psalmos
A striking, twanging
The striking the chords of a musical instrument
A pious song
They are not all songs, some of poems, and musings, but many of them are meant to be set to music, you see many of them introduced in your bible this way…
Psalm 4
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
Psalm 5
For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.
Psalm 9
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.
David is credited with authoring 75 of the Psalms, they are organized into five major sections, called books:
•Psalms 1-41 (Book 1).
•Psalms 42-72 (Book 2).
•Psalms 73-89 (Book 3).
•Psalms 90-106 (Book 4).
•Psalms 107-150 (Book 5)
And there are several different types of psalms or songs.
1. Wisdom Psalms. practical direction
2. Royal Psalms. Several psalms were to be performed in the presence of kings or dignitaries
3. Lament Psalms. (Psalms are an expression of man’s heart toward God in the varied nature of life: fears, doubts, tragedies, triumphs, joys, hopes)
4. Imprecatory Psalms. (Those that invoke judgment, calamity or curses upon one's enemies or those perceived as the enemies of God.)
5. Thanksgiving Psalms.
6. We are going to be looking at the Messianic Psalms: Psalms that Jesus himself referred to: them…
Luke 24:44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”-NIV
They are Psalms that are written about Christmas, believe it or not…
The World Book Encyclopedia - defines "Christmas" as follows: "The word Christmas comes from "Cristes Maesse", an early English phrase that means "Mass of Christ." Mass is derived from the Latin word missa.
The mass consists of two principal rites: the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist. The first includes readings from Scripture, the homily and intercessory prayer. The second includes the offering and the presentation of bread and wine at the altar, to be consecration by the priest during the eucharistic prayer, and the reception of the consecrated elements in Holy Communion.
According to the Catholic churches teaching, Christ’s sacrifice is not only recalled in the mass, it is made present. In the eucharistic prayer, the church asks God the Father to send the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine on the altar so that by his power they may become the literal , the very body and blood that Christ offered on the cross.
That is called the doctrine of transubstantiation. Transubstantiation is, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church, "the change of the whole substance of bread into the substance of the Body of Christ and of the whole substance of wine into the substance of the Blood of Christ. This change is brought about in the eucharistic prayer through the efficacy of the word of Christ and by the action of the Holy Spirit. However, the outward characteristics of bread and wine, that is the 'eucharistic species', remain unaltered."). That change having occurred, Christ is offered anew to God the Father, and the church unites with him in that offering.
David Meyer of Last Trumpet Ministries Says this:
Last Trumpet Ministries International - David J. Meyer
Saying, "Merry Christmas", is literally saying "Merry death of Christ!" Furthermore, when the fat man in the red suit laughs boisterously and says, "Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas", he is mocking and laughing at the suffering and bleeding Saviour, who died for our sins. Consider what you are saying when you say "Merry Christmas."
Anyway, what we are going to be considering together this Lord’s Day morning is this:
The Psalms of Christmas
We are going to be looking at Messianic Psalms, those that speak of the coming of Christ in the ase of this one 1,000 years before he came!
A study of the Psalms of Christmas, will lift our minds and hearts out of our traditional response to the Advent season, by lifting us into the heavenly perspective and purpose of what this season is all about!
It gives us a view that far to few have regarding Christmas
The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,”
Advent is a season of the liturgical year observed in many Christian churches – this year for the churches that follow a strict liturgical calendar it began on Sunday, November 29th, and is scheduled to end on Thursday, December 24. It is meant to be a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming.
Which Psalm 2 brings both into view. And so my hope is that we will experience to some measure what the 2 men on the road to Emmaus experienced as Jesus opened up the Law Prophets and Psalms…
I think this whole series and season needs to start with what I would call the obvious place to start:
I. The Reason?
The Reason for the Season, the reason for:
A) Advent:
1. The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming.”
a) Of Christ!
Friends it is not for the reason of giving mankind a feeling of warmth, love, peace, and joy that wonderfully counterbalances the frigid December cold! Far from it. The reason for the season – the sending of the son is due to…
II. The Revolt!
A) Revolt
1. The insurgency
2. The attempt to put an end to the authority of a person or body by fighting and rebelling against it.
B) Rebels?
Psalm 2:1a Why do the heathen rage,
1. Heathen – ?????- gowy - Non -Hebrew nations; Gentiles.
C) Rage --????????? (ra·??·šu) - To conspire against, to plot!
1. To be in a tumult or commotion
2. To conspire, plot.
And look at this…
Psalm 2:1b and the people….
2. People – the nation of Israel – Jew
B) Ridiculousness:
Psalm 2:1c imagine a vain thing?
1. Imagine – ????? -hagah
a) To moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, plan
b) It speaks of a whispered treasons passing to and fro among the Gentile and Hebrew nations.
C) Range? (The extent or scope of ?)
Psalms 2:2a The kings of the earth…
1. Kings – ?????? -melek
a) Governors, and governments of the earth.
i. Organized governments of the earth.
Psalms 2:2b set themselves,
ii. Take their stand
iii. Band together
Psalms 2:2c and the rulers
2. Rulers - ???????????? (w?·ro·wz·nîm)
a) To be weighty, be judicious.
i. Judicial government of the earth.
Psalms 2:2d Take counsel together
Psalms 2:2d band together - NIV
ii. Band together -?????? (ya·?a?)
a) Unite, altogether, all together, alike
iii. They form a coalition over a cause, one cause!
D) Reason?
Psalms 2:2e against….
1. Against -???? (‘al-)
a) Upon a common ground
i. Basis of their banding is to oppose:
Psalms 2:2f the Lord,
2. Lord – ??????? – Yehovah
a) Jehovah = "the Self -Existing; Eternal One"
Psalms 2:2g and against his anointed,
2. Anointed – ???????? – mashiyach
a) The Messiah, Messianic prince
b) The King of Israel
E) Rhetoric?
Psalms 2:2h saying, 3a Let us break…
1.“Let us break” ???????????? (n?·nat·t?·qah)
a) Pull apart, tear away, tear apart, snap
Psalms 2:3b their bands asunder,
2. Bands – ?????? -mowcer
a) Bonds, restraints, restrictions.
Psalm 2:3c and cast away their cords from us.
3. Cords – ????? -`aboth
a) Rope, cordage, chains.
F) Reveal?
1. The global, world-wide revolt, rebellion of man, that took place right from the beginning (genesis of man)!
a) Rebellion against God’s authority was Satan’s and humanity’s first sin
Isaiah 14: 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. - KJV
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,2 she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.-ESV
b) Man’s rebellion against God is the strongest theme that runs through the Bible regarding man from Genesis to Revelation!
Genesis 6: 5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.”-ESV
Genesis 11:1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
Genesis 1: 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Thomas Coke - Their intention in building the city and tower, was to make themselves a name, and to prevent their being scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth, as God probably declared [but certainly designed] they should. The scheme was to keep together, and very likely under one head.
Joseph Excell - This is a disease that cleaves to us all, to “receive honour one of another, and not to seek the honour which comes from God!
G) Root?
1. Man’s problem - is our rebellion against God.
The Daily Record - Ellensburg, WA - Oct 20, 2020
To the Editor:
God is trying to get our attention! You may have dismissed this letter as soon as you saw the word “God,” but I beg you to listen. Please listen — as if you are trapped in a burning building and I’m telling you how to escape!
2020 has been quite the year, hasn’t it? But our real problem is not the pandemic, or the radical left, or climate change, or systemic racism, or a crazy president, or socialism creeping in. These may be problems, but the root is deeper — it’s the human heart and our rebellion against God.
God Almighty, our Creator, deserves all respect and obedience. He has given us his Word, the Bible, to let us know who he is, and how to please and honor him. Yes, he could fix all the world’s problems, but we have brought them on ourselves, and he lets them continue in the hope that we will turn to him.
Jean Lembeck - Ellensburg
H) Reminder:
A) Bands? THE BIBLE!
PsaLM 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Psa 119:160 Thy word H1697 is true H571 from the beginning: H7218 and every one of thy righteous H6664 judgments H4941 endureth for ever. H5769
sa 119:105 NUN. Thy word H1697 is a lamp H5216 unto my feet, H7272 and a light H216 unto my path. H5410
Psa 119:67 Before I was afflicted H6031 I went astray: H7683 but now have I kept H8104 thy word. H
sa 119:11 Thy word H565 have I hid H6845 in mine heart, H3820 that I might not sin H2398 against thee.
j Cords?
Creation
Concsiese
commandments
o
III. The Response:
Psalm 2:4a He that sitteth in the heavens…
NASB- The One Enthroned
Psalm 2:4b shall laugh:
A) Laughs -??????? (yis·?aq)
1. Laugh (usually in contempt or derision)
a) To make sport of, to jest
b) To laugh mockingly
Psalm 2:4c the Lord shall have them in derision.
B) Derision – ????? -la`ag
1. To mock, deride, ridicule
2. To taunt
III. The Result?
Psalm 2:5a Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath,
A) Wrath – ??? -'aph
1. Hot faced, hot nosed, snorting anger!
Psalm 2:5b and vex them in his sore displeasure.
NET- Then he angrily speaks to them and terrifies them in his rage, saying…
IV. The Revelation:
Psalm 2:6a Yet have I set my king…
Psalm 2:6b upon my holy hill of Zion.
A) Reveal?
1. King – Jesus!
2. Zion – Jerusalem!
Zechariah 14: 8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter. 9 The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.- NIV
B) Relationships:
1. Father
2. Son
a) This is the King/Son speaking:
i. The anointed king now speaks himself, recalling the covenant made with him by Jehovah
Psalm 2:7a I will declare the decree:
b) The decree -???? (?oq)
i. Statute, ordinance, law, civil enactments prescribed by God!
ii. The root meaning is to engrave, and so stands for any formal agreement
iii. The Father wants the Son to declare an eternal ordinance, law that will last forever!
iv.These are the words of Jehovah's Anointed and King, announcing his Kingly Office, according to the decree and commandment of the Father!
Psalm 2:7b the Lord hath said unto me,
Psalm 2:7c Thou art my Son;
v. ONE OF THE GREATEST MESSIANIC PASSAGES IN ALL THE SCRIPTURE!
c) Decree?
i. You are, not will be my Son
ii. You are/have been the Eternal Son!
a. Eternal decree from eternity past!
b. Your are my Son, one in essence with Me!
c. You are one with God (Dt 6:4)
d. You are God!
Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,
Charles Spurgeon - Whatever God is, Christ is. The very likeness of God, the very Godhead of Godhead, the very Deity of Deity, is in Christ Jesus.
e. He who had seen Jesus had seen the Father because Jesus is the exact representation, the exact expression of the Father's attributes, nature, etc so that all that God is, Jesus is!
f. Yet they are two distinct Persons of the Godhead!
g. Jesus is already ail that God is!
h. God hasn't given Jesus something. He already is!
Colossians 1:15a The Son is the image of the invisible God,
i. Image = Of one substance with it, and yet distinguishable from.
Hebrews 1:5a For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son;
Psalm 2:7d this day have I begotten thee.
Hebrews 1:5b This day have I begotten thee?
j. Begotten = manifested, declared, or exhibited for all to see!
Hebrews 1:5c And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Luke 1:26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. -NIV
The reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God ?
The clear implication is that this is a holy conception. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit are intimately and mysteriously involved in his holy pregnancy.
Hebrews 1: 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Luke 2: 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.-KJV
Psalm 2:7b the Lord hath said unto me,
Psalm 2:7c Thou art my Son;
Speaks of His Divinity
Psalm 2:7d this day have I begotten thee.
Speaks of His Humanity
Hark! the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Christ by highest Heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Divinity clothed in humanity!
This day – today speaks of His incarnation!
You see these words affirmed at:
a) His Baptism!
Matthew 3: 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased
b) His Transfiguration
Matthew 17: Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.-NKJV
c) His Resurrection!
Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:-KJV
Acts 13: 32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’ 34a God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay.
Hebrews 5: 5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”
6 As He also says in another place:
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;
7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”-NKJV
EVEN THE DEMONS ACKNOWLEDGE HE IS THE SON OF GOD!
Matthew 8: 28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
V. The Rulership
Psalm 2:8a Ask of me, and I shall give thee
Psalm 2:8b the heathen for thine inheritance,
The nations that is, the world.
Psalm 2:8c and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
The farthest regions of the world, in fact all the world
Colossians 1: 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. -NIV
Firstborn - p??t?t???? -prototokos
Deuteronomy 21:15 If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love, 16when he wills his property to his sons, he must not give the rights of the firstborn to the son of the wife he loves in preference to his actual firstborn, the son of the wife he does not love. 17He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father's strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him.
R.M. Edgar - Now, there can be no question that Jesus Christ occupies the position of Eldest Brother in the family of God. Not only was it declared prophetically, "I will make him my Firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth" (Psalm 89:27), but he is expressly called "the Firstborn from the dead," "the Firstborn among many brethren," and "the Firstborn of every creature" (Colossians 1:18; Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15). Undoubtedly, then, the rights guaranteed by Jewish Law to the firstborn were intended to illustrate the rights of Jesus Christ.
TO INHERIT EVERYTHING!!!
Hebrews 1: In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.-NIV
Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. -NKJV
VI. The Rebellious?
Psalm 2:9a Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;
Benson Commentary — Those people that will not quietly submit to thee shall be crushed and destroyed by thy mighty power, which they shall never be able to resist.
Rod of Iron is a symbol of breaking stubborn resistance by a stern and irresistible rule!
Isaiah 11:4 He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Psalm 110:6 "He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies."
Revelation 19:15 "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."
Psalm 2:9b thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
An emblem of easy, complete, irreparable destruction. The confederacy is shattered into fragments which cannot be reunited!
Like a vessel made of clay, I will smash your stubborn resistance like a rod of iron smashes a clay jar!
That is how easily I will subdue my enemies
VII. The Request
A) WHOM?
1.Holy Spirit!
John 14: 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;
Act 7:51 You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
B) What is His request?
Psalm 2:10a Be wise now therefore, O ye kings:
Charles Spurgeon - It is always wise to be willing to be instructed, especially when such instruction tends to the salvation of the soul.
Matthew Poole - Be wise; understand your true interest. Now, while you have time and space for repentance and submission
2. Repentance!
Psalm 2:10b be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Charles Spurgeon - These are exhorted to receive instructions, not in things political and civil they may be well acquainted with; but in things religious and evangelical, in the worship of God, in the Gospel of Christ, and in his ordinances; for persons in such posts should not be above instruction in these things.
a) What are the instructions?
Psalm 2:11a Serve the Lord with fear,
Benson Commentary - That is, with reverence and an awful sense of his great and glorious majesty, rendering you careful and diligent to please him, and afraid to offend him.
Albert Barnes - Serve the Lord with fear, with reverence, and with deep apprehensions of the consequences of not serving and obeying him,
Psalm 2:11b and rejoice with trembling.
Hugh Blair, D. D. - Joy and fear are two great springs of human action. The mixed condition of this world gives scope for both. Each of them possesses a proper place in religion.
Joseph Excell- In a Christian’s course fear and love must go together. In heaven, love will absorb fear, yet no one now can love God aright without fearing Him.
Matthew Poole –This is added to express the quality of this joy to which he calls them, and to distinguish it from that carnal and worldly rejoicing which is usually attended with security, and presumption, and licentiousness, and to warn them to take heed that they do not turn this grace of God into wantonness, nor slacken their dread of God’s tremendous majesty, and of his terrible judgment.
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Context?
Philippians 2: 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Charles Spurgeon - The fear of God is the corner stone of all blessedness. We must reverence the ever blessed God before we can be blessed ourselves.
Chris Vogel - How often do we hear of the need to “fear God”? Christian culture today portrays a God who is too much our friend to ever give us reason to tremble - but that is to our own detriment. When we see the darkness of our own heart, the weakness of our own resolve, the power of temptation to sin, we should be filled with dread at offending God. There should be a fear, not of what He might do to us, but of the hurt we might do to Him.
If there is no fear in your worship it is phony!
Isaiah 66:2b “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word -NIV
John Murray - “The fear of God is the soul of godliness.”
Jerry Bridges - The fear of God is a concept that seems old-fashioned and antiquated to many modern-day Christians, yet there was a time when an earnest believer might have been known as a “God-fearing man.”
John Murray -“Nothing could be more significant, than that the fear of the Lord should be coupled with the comfort of the Holy Spirit as the characteristics of the New Testament church.”
Acts 9: 31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied
John Walvoord - "No foes of spiritual life are more obvious than self-complacency and pride. Spiritual growth comes when we realize our need for it.”
C) How?
Psalm 2:12a Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.
1. Concept?
a) Kiss?
i. Romantic kiss?
a. NO!
ii. Repentance!
Luke 7: 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
a. She wept
b. She washed his feet with her tears
c. She wiped his feet with her hair
d. She kissed his feet with appreciation
e. She perfumed his feet in adoration
f. SHE PLACED HERSELF UNDER HIS FEET! (UNDER HIS RULE AND AUTHORITY)
iii. Result?
Luke 7:44 Then (Jesus) he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown.
a. Her kiss was a symbol of her repentance!
b. God’s kiss is a symbol of our forgiveness!
c. You kiss God, he will kiss you back!
Luke 15: 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
Q: What did his kiss entail?
a. A robe
b. A ring
c. Shoes
d. Banquet!
e. Restoration!!
f. Salvation!!!
Luke 15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Psalm 1 & 2 are the gatekeeper, into the book of Psalms
Psalm 1 begins with a beatitude:
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
4a The ungodly are not so,
Psalm 2 ends with a beatitude
Psalm 2:10 Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
i. Repentace
ii. Restoration/Salvation
iii. Refuge
Deu 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Psa 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield[fn] and the horn[fn] of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psa 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
