Why should we sin?
(Psalms 78; 80; 105; 106; 135) Blog Mar. 3-9, 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The Psalms point to Jesus as a righteous and merciful Judge who brings deliverance to his people and destroys their enemies. He instructs his people how to live in harmony with his law and gives them power to do so. He hears the prayers of those who love him and answers their pleas.
Who we are
1. To whom is the Apostle Paul writing in First Corinthians? In First Corinthians Paul is writing to all believers in Jesus, in every place who are waiting for Christ’s coming (1 Cor. 1:2, 7).
2. In First Corinthians who are the “fathers” of those who believe in Jesus? Our “fathers” are all the believers in past centuries, especially the children of Israel (1 Cor. 10:1-5).
3. If we as believers in Jesus are the descendants of believers in past ages then what is their story to us? Their story is our history (1 Cor. 10:1).
4. In Galatians what does Paul call the church of believers in Jesus? Paul calls the church Abraham’s heirs, “the Israel of God” (Gal. 3:29; 6:16).
5. Is being “the Israel of God” a reason for us to boast? While being called “the Israel of God” is a great privilege, it is no reason to boast for Israel was not chosen for her goodness & was a very rebellious people (Deut. 7:7-8; 9:7; Psa. 78:8; Eze. 2:3).
6. How does understanding that Israel’s history is our history help us understand the message of the Bible? This understanding highlights God’s goodness & our weakness & propensity to wander just as Israel did, so we should take heed lest we fall after the same example of unbelief (Psa. 106:6; 1 Cor. 10:6-12).
7. What should we always do in relation to our past history? We should always remember how God has led in our past history & not forget our weakness (Psa. 78:4-8; 103:2).
What God does
8. According to Psalm 105, why should we sing, rejoice, and give thanks to God? We should sing, rejoice, and give thanks to God for his marvelous works (Psa. 105:1-5; Acts 2:11).
9. According to Psalm 105, on what basis does God do wonderful works for his people? God does wonderful works for his people because he has made a covenant with them & acts in accord with it (Psa. 105:6-10, 42).
10. What two deliverers of God’s people are mentioned in Psalm 105? Joseph & Moses are the two deliverers highlighted in Psalm 105 for God used them to preserve his covenant people (Psa. 105:17, 26).
11. How does God want his people to respond to his marvelous works of deliverance and blessing? In response to his wondrous works God wants his people to respond by obeying his laws (Psa. 105:45; 78:7; John 14:15).
12. According to Psalm 106, why should we praise and give thanks to God? We should praise and give thanks to God for he is good & his mercy endures forever for those who love him (Psa. 106:1).
13. Who does Psalm 106 say is blessed? Psalm 106 says that the person who does righteousness at all times is blessed (Psa. 106:3).
14. As soon as the psalmist remembers that God demands righteousness at all times, what does he ask? The psalmist immediately asks for grace & salvation from God while confessing his sin & that of all his people (Psa. 106:5-6).
15. What should we learn from the repeated phrase in Psalm 80 that says: “Turn us again”? We should learn that repentance is a gift from God that we receive when we sincerely desire it (Psa. 80:3, 7, 19; Acts 5:31).
What we should do
16. After confessing their wickedness what specific sins of the fathers does Psalm 106 list?Psalm 106 lists rebellion at the Red Sea, lusting for meat, envying Moses & Aaron, worshipping the golden calf, worshipping Baal-peor, complaining about lack of water, not driving out the Canaanites, & sacrificing their children unto idols (Psa. 106:7-39).
17. In Psalm 106, what two men of God are mentioned as turning away God’s plagues from his people? Moses, at the time of the golden calf & Phinehas at the time of Baal-peor turned away God’s wrath (Psa. 106:23, 30).
18. According to Psalm 106 what caused God’s people to go astray? God’s people forgot God their Savior who delivered them from Egypt, they didn’t ask his counsel, they despised his gifts, & believed not his Word (Psa. 106:7, 13, 21, 24; 78:42).
19. How does God work to deter his people from rebellion? At times God delivers his people, at times he gives them their sinful desires & often he punishes them with loss, plagues, deportation, defilement, & oppressors (Psa. 106:10, 15, 17-18, 26-27, 39-43; 78:22, 42).
20. What prophet prayed a prayer similar to Psalm 106? Daniel’s prayer for the restoration of the sanctuary is very similar to that of Psalm 106 (Dan. 9:3-20).