I have determined to preach concerning this chapter from verses 19 and 20 particularly. In the New King James Bible and the New American Standard, verse 19 says – "Behold, this is the joy of His way, and out of the earth others will grow." "Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, nor will He uphold evildoers." The word "Behold" at the beginning of each verse seems to indicate to me that both verses are referring to God Himself. In other words, this is a revelation of God about Himself, which we need to think about this afternoon before we observe the Lord's Supper. The word "His" in verse 19 is capitalized in the NKJ translation and in the NAS, and therefore we should understand that the translators thought this "joy" being referred to, was God's joy. Behold, this is the joy of His Way.
I agree with this capitalization here. The International Standard Version reads – "Indeed, this the benefit of God's way: from the soil, other plants will sprout." In other words, from the soil of God's just judgments which come upon sinners, we can learn things that will help us. And even more than that; from the soil of God's just judgment upon Christ at the cross, other plants, that is, many people will be saved; they will sprout up to serve God. This is a great truth for us to think about now. Let me give you 3 Observations: |
