Study from God’s Word… Psalms 29, 33, 65, 66, 67, and 68 … Passage for Reflection: Psalm 68: 18… NIV 18 When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you RECEIVED gifts from men, even from the rebellious — that you, O LORD God, might dwell there.
Ephesians 4: 8 …4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and GAVE gifts to men."[Psalm 68:18]
My Journal for Today: In today’s study we get a marvelous picture as to how New Testament writers used Old Testament Scripture, taking in the context of the New Covenant purpose and life of Jesus to explain the truth of Who He was and is to mankind. It was not uncommon for the NT authors and persons in the time of Christ, even Christ Himself, to quote from the OT. But occasionally, and today’s study is one of those, there would be a twist on what was being quoted which depended on the person and position of Jesus, The Christ, as the fulfillment of Old Covenant Scripture.
In the word picture created by King David in Psalm 68, he was reflecting on the tradition, in his day, of a king returning home from battle with a train of the conquered warriors following behind him, … with the conquered peoples giving gifts, as they did in those days, to the conquering king. Now, the Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4, quotes from that same Psalm, but note the critical one word change [highlighted in bold/underline above] which describes the King of kings and how, in heaven, He will not expect gifts from those who’ve surrendered to Him. No, rather, our LORD of lords will GIVE gifts to those who come to Heaven with Him.
Now, how great is that, for those of us who’ve surrendered our lives to the King of kings, Who has conquered all on the cross; and the King Whom now is in heaven interceding for Christians; and the King Who will receive me, and prayerfully you, to be with Him on His throne? And the Apostle Paul was right to change that one word when he used Psalm 68 to relate the picture of the conquering King receiving the train of the conquered into heaven.
And once again in my studies here of God’s word, daily in my quiet place, all I can muster is a humble, but definite … HALLELUJAH !!!
My Prayer for Today: Yes, LORD, I sit here in awe of how Your word fits together and speaks of You as the conquering King Who has received me unto Your throne and will give me all You have in glory. HALLELUJAH !!! Amen
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