WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 10, 2019
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OUR LOVING GOD
(Meditate on GOD’s unfailing love)
(Psalm 48)
Psalm 48 is a song a
praise to GOD written by the descendents of Korah, the Levite who, along with
Dathan, Abiram, and On, of the tribe of Reuben, once led a revolt against Moses
and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-49). Korah was the son of Izhar, and the first cousin
of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 6:21), and, in fact, was equal in rank with Aaron
within the tribe of Levi.
Korah
became jealous of Aaron because he held the position of high priest. He felt
the position should go to him because he was a descendent of Reuben, Jacob’s
oldest son. He felt that the honor and responsibility of leading Israel as high
priest should fall to their tribe instead of the Levites, the descendents of
Jacob’s third son.
Moses
placed the dispute in the hands of the LORD, WHO empowered the Levites with the
responsibility of leading Israel in worship. He directed Korah and his group of
protesters to bring containers of incense to the tabernacle, as an offering to
the LORD.
Korah
and his group, complied with Moses’ instructions, and he went with his company
to the door of the tabernacle, where the LORD appeared to them, and threatened
to “consume them in a moment” for their rebellion against Moses (Numbers
16:21). However, Moses and Aaron interceded, saving most of the nation of
Israel from destruction.
Afterwards,
the decision of leadership was again placed before the LORD, and Moses
instructed the congregation to “depart from the tents of these wicked men”
(Numbers 16:26). The decision of leadership in favor of Moses and Aaron was
confirmed by the LORD in dramatic fashion, as HE opened up the earth, and it
swallowed up the whole rebellious group of Korah and his followers (Numbers
16:32).
Some
of the surviving descendents of Korah, who weren’t a part of his wicked
resistance, went on to become ministers of music in the tabernacle during the
time of King David (1 Chronicles 6:31-37), and are now the authors of 11 psalms
in the biblical Psalter, including Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, and 87-88.
Here
in Psalm 48, the psalmists share a song of praise to the LORD GOD of Israel for
HIS blessings and protection on the great city of Jerusalem. It is written to stimulate
the praises of HIS people in Zion, the hill on which the original fortress of
Jerusalem stood. It is where David brought the Ark of the Covenant when he
moved the Jewish worship center from Mount Gerizen to that location.
In
this psalm we see a celebration, or celebratory tone being set, that, genuinely
reflects Israel’s identification with Zion as being “GOD’s City”. It also
speaks of the joy and feeling of protection that can only be provided to us by
the only wise, almighty GOD in Heaven. It is not clear which historical battle
victory the psalmist is acknowledging here, however, one thing is for certain,
and that is, that, the LORD Almighty is undeniably given credit for their
success.
Many
scholars believe that this psalm celebrates one of Israel’s victories over the
Assyrians. The LORD Almighty is quite often given the credit for the success of
Israel’s military accomplishments, and HIS help is always given to HIS chosen
people, those who believe on HIM. GOD renders HIS help through natural uprisings
that manifest themselves through both, celestial and terrestrial means, such as
earthquakes, windstorms at sea, or heavy rains, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.
Finally
in verses 11-14, the psalmist invites GOD’s people to rejoice in the LORD and
be a witness to how their cities have survived unscathed through many invasions
by their enemies. All of their buildings and towers were still standing and preserved,
because the LORD GOD had protected them through it all. And HE will continue to
be their protector and guide to success forever, as long as they abide in, and
are obedient to HIM.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official
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