He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard an unfamiliar language: He ordained it as a testimonyThe phrase "He ordained it as a testimony" refers to God's establishment of a decree or law as a witness to His covenant and faithfulness. The Hebrew root for "ordained" is "שָׂם" (sam), meaning to place, set, or appoint. This suggests a deliberate and purposeful action by God. The "testimony" (עֵדוּת, edut) is a legal term often used in the context of the covenant between God and Israel, serving as a reminder of His promises and expectations. This phrase underscores the divine authority and intentionality behind God's commands, highlighting His desire for His people to remember and adhere to His statutes as a testament to His enduring relationship with them. for Joseph
The mention of "Joseph" here is symbolic, representing the entire nation of Israel. Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, played a crucial role in the history of Israel, particularly in Egypt. His life story, marked by trials and triumphs, is a testament to God's providence and faithfulness. By using "Joseph," the psalmist evokes the memory of God's deliverance and provision for His people during their time in Egypt. This serves as a reminder of the covenantal relationship that began with the patriarchs and continued through the generations. when he went out over the land of Egypt
This phrase refers to the time when God led the Israelites out of Egypt, a pivotal event in their history known as the Exodus. The Hebrew word for "went out" (יָצָא, yatsa) signifies a departure or exodus, emphasizing the act of liberation from bondage. "Over the land of Egypt" highlights the geographical and historical context of this deliverance. Egypt, a place of both refuge and oppression for the Israelites, becomes the backdrop for God's mighty acts of salvation. This phrase serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to deliver His people from slavery. where I heard an unfamiliar language
The "unfamiliar language" (שָׂפָה לֹא־יָדַעְתִּי, saphah lo-yadati) signifies the foreignness and alienation experienced by the Israelites in Egypt. The language barrier symbolizes the cultural and spiritual dissonance between God's people and their Egyptian oppressors. This phrase highlights the Israelites' status as strangers in a foreign land, underscoring their need for divine intervention and deliverance. It also serves as a metaphor for the spiritual alienation that occurs when God's people are separated from Him, emphasizing the importance of returning to a place of understanding and communion with God. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephA key figure in the Old Testament, Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob. He rose to prominence in Egypt, becoming second in command to Pharaoh. His life is a testament to God's providence and faithfulness. 2. EgyptA significant location in biblical history, Egypt was both a place of refuge and bondage for the Israelites. It represents a land of foreign culture and language, as mentioned in this verse. 3. TestimonyIn this context, it refers to God's established covenant and laws given to His people, serving as a witness to His faithfulness and expectations. 4. Unfamiliar LanguageThis phrase highlights the cultural and linguistic differences Joseph and the Israelites encountered in Egypt, symbolizing the challenges of living in a foreign land. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Foreign LandsJust as God was with Joseph in Egypt, He is with us in unfamiliar or challenging situations. We can trust His sovereignty and guidance. Cultural Challenges and FaithfulnessEncountering unfamiliar cultures and languages can be daunting, but like Joseph, we are called to remain faithful and uphold God's testimony. The Role of TestimoniesGod's testimonies serve as reminders of His faithfulness and our responsibilities. They guide us in living according to His will, even in foreign or challenging environments. Providence and PurposeJoseph's journey to Egypt was part of God's larger plan for His people. We can find comfort in knowing that God has a purpose for our lives, even when circumstances seem difficult. Language as a Barrier and BridgeThe mention of an unfamiliar language highlights the barriers we may face, but also the potential for God's work to transcend cultural differences and bring about His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joseph's experience in Egypt illustrate God's faithfulness and sovereignty in our own lives today? 2. In what ways can we remain faithful to God's testimonies when faced with cultural or linguistic challenges? 3. How can understanding the role of testimonies in the Bible help us navigate our own spiritual journeys? 4. What lessons can we learn from Joseph's life about trusting God's providence and purpose, even in difficult circumstances? 5. How can we overcome language and cultural barriers to effectively share God's love and truth with others? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 41This chapter details Joseph's rise to power in Egypt, illustrating God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises. Exodus 1Describes the Israelites' time in Egypt, setting the stage for their eventual enslavement and the need for deliverance. Acts 7:9-10Stephen's speech recounts Joseph's account, emphasizing God's presence and favor in his life, even in a foreign land. People Asaph, Jacob, Joseph, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Appointed, Decree, Didn't, Ears, Egypt, Established, Forth, Joseph, Language, Lip, Ordained, Placed, Sounding, Speech, Statute, Strange, Testimony, Throughout, Tongue, Understand, Understood, Voice, WitnessDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 81:5 5374 languages
8355 understanding Psalm 81:1-7 8609 prayer, as praise and thanksgiving Library Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of the Orphan Work.
BEGINNING AND EARLY DAYS OF THE ORPHAN WORK. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."--1 Peter, i. 7. Mr. George Mueller, the founder of the New Orphan-Houses, Ashley Down, Bristol (institutions that have been for many years the greatest monuments of modern times to a prayer-answering God), gives in that most valuable and instructive book, "A …
George Müller—Answers to PrayerAsk what I Shall Give Thee. 1Ki 3:05
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Religion Pleasant to the Religious.
"O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."--Psalm xxxiv. 8. You see by these words what love Almighty God has towards us, and what claims He has upon our love. He is the Most High, and All-Holy. He inhabiteth eternity: we are but worms compared with Him. He would not be less happy though He had never created us; He would not be less happy though we were all blotted out again from creation. But He is the God of love; He brought us all into existence, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
"Sept. 30 [1869].--From Yorkshire L50.--Received also One Thousand Pounds to-day for the Lord's work in China. About this donation it is especially to be noticed, that for months it had been my earnest desire to do more than ever for Mission Work in China, and I had already taken steps to carry out this desire, when this donation of One Thousand Pounds came to hand. This precious answer to prayer for means should be a particular encouragement to all who are engaged in the Lord's work, and who may …
George Müller—Answers to Prayer The Fifth Day in Passion-Week - Make Ready the Passover!'
When the traitor returned from Jerusalem on the Wednesday afternoon, the Passover, in the popular and canonical, though not in the Biblical sense, was close at hand. It began on the 14th Nisan, that is, from the appearance of the first three stars on Wednesday evening [the evening of what had been the 13th], and ended with the first three stars on Thursday evening [the evening of what had been the 14th day of Nisan]. As this is an exceedingly important point, it is well here to quote the precise …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
They shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 I proceed now to the second part of the text. A promise annexed. They shall be filled'. A Christian fighting with sin is not like one that beats the air' (1 Corinthians 9:26), and his hungering after righteousness is not like one that sucks in only air, Blessed are they that hunger, for they shall be filled.' Those that hunger after righteousness shall be filled. God never bids us seek him in vain' (Isaiah 45:19). Here is an honeycomb dropping into the mouths of …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments How Does it Come?
How does the Filling of the Spirit come? "Does it come once for all? or is it always coming, as it were?" was a question addressed to me once by a young candidate for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. There are many asking the same question. We have considered how the Fullness is obtained, but now we proceed to consider, How does the Fullness come? In speaking of the blessing of being filled with the Spirit, the New Testament writers use three tenses in the Greek--the Aorist, the Imperfect, and the …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness Matthew 5:6 We are now come to the fourth step of blessedness: Blessed are they that hunger'. The words fall into two parts: a duty implied; a promise annexed. A duty implied: Blessed are they that hunger'. Spiritual hunger is a blessed hunger. What is meant by hunger? Hunger is put for desire (Isaiah 26:9). Spiritual hunger is the rational appetite whereby the soul pants after that which it apprehends most suitable and proportional …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Justifying or Sanctifying Grace
Sanctifying grace is defined by Deharbe as "an unmerited, supernatural gift, imparted to the soul by the Holy Ghost, by which we are made just, children of God, and heirs of Heaven." As it makes sinners just, sanctifying grace is also called justifying, though this appellation can not be applied to the sanctification of our first parents in Paradise or to that of the angels and the sinless soul of Christ. Justification, as we have shown, consists in the infusion of sanctifying grace, and hence it …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 81:5 NIVPsalm 81:5 NLTPsalm 81:5 ESVPsalm 81:5 NASBPsalm 81:5 KJV
Psalm 81:5 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
