Why did Jehovah allow the Israelites to be taken into captivity? The Bible tells us: “The king of Assyria carried the Israelites away to Assyria and put them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, because they did not obey the voice of the LORD…
“For thus says Yahweh of Armies: ‘As I thought to do evil to you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘and I did not repent.’” (Zechariah 8:14) Another version reads: “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘As I purposed to bring disaster to you when your fathers provoked me…
“To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 13:11) A “mystery” in Scripture is a previously hidden truth, now divinely revealed; but in which a supernatural element still remains despite the revelation. The greater mysteries are:
“Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.” (Psalm 51:1) This Psalm must ever be, in its successive steps, the mould of the experience of a sinning saint who comes back to full communion and service. The steps are:
Scofield on Psalm 40 “I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1) The 40th Psalm speaks of Messiah, Yahweh’s Servant, obedient unto death. The Psalm begins with the joy of Christ in resurrection. He has been in the horrible pit of the grave, but has been brought up.
“For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged.” (1 Corinthians 11:31) Self-judgment is not so much the believer’s moral condemnation of his own ways or habits, or of himself, for allowing such ways. Self-judgment avoids chastisement.
“For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) On the word “salvation,” the Hebrew and (Greek – ἀλεκτοροφωνία , safety, preservation, healing, and soundness). Salvation is the great…
“For the Chief Musician. Set to The Lilies (Shoshanim). A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song.” (See the heading for Psalm 45) Shoshannim, “lilies,” and so, the spring; the Shoshannim Psalms were probably connected with the Passover season, and hence reminders of redemption out of bondage, and of the origins of Israel.
“Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.” (1 Corinthians 2:13) Concerning the term “words,” as used in this verse, Scofield says: (1) The writers of Scripture invariably affirm, where the subject is mentioned by them at all, that…
“For our heart rejoices in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.” (Psalm 33:21) Trust is the characteristic Old Testament word for the New Testament words “faith,” “believe.” It occurs 152 times in the Old Testament, and is the rendering of Hebrew words signifying to take refuge.