Hopewell ARP Church is a Biblical, Reformed, Presbyterian church, serving the Lord in Culleoka, TN, since 1820. Lord's Day Morning, set your gps to arrive by 11a.m. at 3886 Hopewell Road, Culleoka, TN 38451
Read Micah 1:10–16
Questions from the Scripture text: What does Micah 1:10a–b say not to do where? What does verse 10c–d say to do where? What are the inhabitants of what three places doing (Micah 1:11a–c)? In what way (verse 11d)? Who desired what (Micah 1:12a)? But what come, instead, from Whom (verse 12b)? To where (verse 12c)? Whom does Micah 1:13a address? Telling them to do what (verse 13b)? What part did she have in Israel’s sin (verse 13c–d)? What will begiven to whom (Micah 1:14a)? What will be the outcome of Achzib’s relationship with Israel (verse 14b)? But what will the Lord bring to what places (Micah 1:15)? What do Micah 1:16a,c tell them to do to themselves? Why (verse 16b, d)?
How should we respond to the judgment of God’s sinful people? Micah 1:10–16 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should respond to the judgment of God’s sinful people with deeply felt, and expressed, grief.
All Scripture is useful for teaching us. But Scripture should direct all of the faculties of our soul, not only the mind and the will, but the affections. This passage seems intended to do just that. Micah expressed his own great grief (Micah 1:8-9) over the judgment that was coming to Israel and Judah (Micah 1:2-7). Now, he summons all of Judah and Israel to join in the same grief.
Israel’s shame (Micah 1:10a–b). This grief is not for public consumption. Gath was a famous city of Philistine enemies. As intense as their weeping is going to be, it must not be done in front of the Gittites.
Israel's Pain (Micah 1:10c–d). In a minor Israelite city, however, they were to be rolling in the dust with their grief.
Israel’s captivity (Micah 1:11). The inhabitants of Shaphir are exiled in naked procession (verse 11a), while the inhabitant of Zaanan is confined to his city under siege, and the inhabitant of Beth Ezel grieves because his city no longer exists.
Judgment spreading from Jerusalem (Micah 1:12). We saw judgment beginning in the household of God at Jerusalem (Micah 1:9). But it does not stay there (cf. 1 Peter 4:17–18). The disaster that comes down from YHWH at the gate of Jerusalem is spreading to Maroth (literally, “bitter town”). One reason to grieve is the knowledge that it is coming to you, too.
Because sin had spread to Jerusalem (Micah 1:13). Judgment is spreading out from Jerusalem because sin had spread to Jerusalem. The people of Lachish are warned to escape as fast as they can from the wrath that is coming to them from Jerusalem. But the sins of Israel (the northern kingdom) had first migrated to Jerusalem in the first place.
And Israel is losing what it had (Micah 1:14). Israel’s goods will be given to foreign cities (verse 14a). At one point, it they had won a victory at a place called Achzib (literally, “deception”). But this was not a sign of good things to come, but a “deceptive” hope.
Especially their upper-class (Micah 1:15). The crown princes and “glorious” royalty of Israel would be exiled to other places, including Adullam, which was famous for being a place to which David fled while on the run.
Bringing Israel into profound mourning (Micah 1:16). Addressed to Israel as a woman (feminine verbs), verse 16 pictures her shaving her head bald as a buzzard—her shorn locks falling upon her precious children, as they are carried off away from lady Israel.
This passage communicates a grief of such intensity as can be felt. One must not respond to sin, or the judgment that comes upon it, with coldhearted indifference.
Where do we see God’s chastening coming upon the churches? How are you responding to it?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us, for we have not been moved to grief by the judgments that have fallen upon the churches. We have been cold-hearted to the condition of your people. And thus, we have been coldhearted toward You, and what You love, and toward Your honor in the world. Grant that we would care deeply about the condition of Christ’s church, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP137 “By Babylon’s Rivers” or TPH79A “God, the Nations Have Invaded”
Read Psalm 147
Questions from the Scripture text: With what command does the Psalm begin (Psalm 147:1a)? What three things does it say about praise (verse 1b–c)? What does YHWH do for whom (Psalm 147:2a)? And what for whom else (verse 2b)? And what for whom else (Psalm 147:3)? How do Psalm 147:4, Psalm 147:5b describe His knowledge? And verse 5a His power? And Psalm 147:6a His goodness? And verse 6b His justice? In what manner are they to sing (Psalm 147:7a)? With what (priestly) instrument (verse 7b)? How does He show His power and goodness (Psalm 147:8-9)? What powers do not please Him (Psalm 147:10)? Who do please Him (Psalm 147:11)? Who are specifically commanded to praise in Psalm 147:12? What four things has He done for them (Psalm 147:13-14)? What does He send forth (Psalm 147:15a)? How fast does it go (verse 15b)? What does His power accomplish on the earth (Psalm 147:16-17a)? With what effect (Psalm 147:17b)? But what does He send to the rescue (Psalm 147:18a)? With what effect (verse 18b)? Where else does He send this Word (Psalm 147:19)? How unique is this privilege (Psalm 147:20a–b)? With what command does the Psalm conclude (verse 20c)?
Why should we praise the Lord? Psalm 147 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that praising the Lord is a great blessing, duty, and privilege.
Praising the Lord is a great blessing. It is good to do so (Psalm 147:1b). It is sweet to do so (NKJ “pleasant,” verse 1c). It is lovely to do so (NKJ “beautiful,” verse 1c). Enjoying God Himself, to His face, is the blessing and glory that God has in Himself from all eternity. And, it is the glory with which he saints are blessed into all eternity.
Praising the Lord is a great duty. Behold the display that He makes of Himself.
The Lord displays His goodness and mercy in gathering Israel’s outcasts (Psalm 147:2), those who suffer for their own sin, but to whom He gives the grace of a contrite heart, and to whose contrition He responds with healing (Psalm 147:3). And He displays it in lifting up the humble (Psalm 147:6a).
The Lord displays His wisdom in the stars that He has made and knows (Psalm 147:4), declaring to us that His wisdom is infinite (Psalm 147:5b).
In the stars, the Lord also displays His almighty power (Psalm 147:5a). It is that power that gives life and provision to all of His creatures (Psalm 147:8-9) by great acts in all of creation (Psalm 147:8a). The creature’s strength is not His pleasure (Psalm 147:10). His pleasure is in the reverence, repentance, and faith that His power and goodness give to sinners (Psalm 147:11).
And the Lord displays His justice in casting the wicked to the ground (Psalm 147:6b).
Every display the Lord makes of Himself and His character requires the correct response: praise. Praising the Lord is a great duty.
And praising the Lord is a great privilege. The praise is to be offered to YHWH (Psalm 147:7a) “our God” (verse 7b). Being His covenant people gives a special privilege of praise that is indicated by the priestly instrument in verse 7b, an instrument that is part of the provision of the temple and the priesthood.
Praise is particularly the privilege of Jerusalem and Zion (Psalm 147:12). He gives them deliverance (Psalm 147:13a), and blessing (verse 13b), and peace (Psalm 147:14a), and provision (verse 14b)… but most of all, He gives them His Word. The same Word that governs and operates the whole of creation (Psalm 147:15-18, cf. Hebrews 1:3) in a manner that dwarfs mankind (Psalm 147:17b), He declares to His Jacob, His Israel (Psalm 147:19). This is not only a great privilege, but an unique one (Psalm 147:20). Men do not have a right to the Word of God; it is a privilege that He gives to those to whom He elects to give it (verse 20a–b). And what is the height of the privilege of those who have this Word? To praise YHWH (verse 20c)!
How do you enjoy the praise of God? How can you grow in that enjoyment? What are some places and ways that you especially see His goodness? His wisdom? His power? His justice? How do you respond to these? How are you claiming and enjoying the privilege of praise that belongs to you?
Sample prayer: Lord, it is good and sweet and lovely to praise You. You care for the stars, the earth, the grass, the beasts, and the weather. But, it is especially to us that You have given Your Word and the privilege of enjoying You Yourself in Your praise. You are pleased with those who fear You and hope in Your mercy, so grant that Your Spirit would make us to fear You and hope in Your mercy, even as we praise You through Christ, in Whose Name we ask it, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP147B “O Praise the Lord, Jerusalem” or TPH147A “O Praise the Lord! How Good It Is”
Read Proverbs 14:33–15:4
Questions from the Scripture text: What does wisdom do in the heart of one who has understanding (Proverbs 14:33a)? But what happens to what’s in the heart of a fool (verse 33b)? What does righteousness do to a nation (Proverbs 14:34a)? What does sin do to a people (verse 34b)? What does a wise servant receive from the king (Proverbs 14:35a)? What does the one who causes shame receive (verse 35b)? What does a soft answer do (Proverbs 15:1a)? What does a harsh word do (verse 1b)? What does the tongue of the wise do (Proverbs 15:2a)? What does the mouth of fools do (verse 2b)? What are in every place (Proverbs 15:3a)? Doing what (verse 3b)? What does a healing (NKJ: wholesome) tongue do (Proverbs 15:4a)? What does perverseness of tongue do (verse 4b)?
How should we use out tongues? Proverbs 14:33–15:4 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should use our tongues as those imaging God, before the eyes of God.
This section deals with the character and consequences of our speech. Proverbs 14:33 focuses on self-control in speech. The man of understanding knows when to keep his wisdom to himself (verse 33a) and when to use it (Proverbs 15:2a), but the fool has no filter for what comes out of his mouth (Proverbs 14:33b, Proverbs 15:2b).
Proverbs 14:34–15:1 deal with both the king’s duty to punish evil and reward good (Proverbs 14:35), together with the sort of speech that either dissipates his wrath (verse 35a vs Proverbs 15:1a), or stirs it up (verse 1b). The righteousness that exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34a) is especially the fear of the Lord: true, biblical wisdom that is expressed in (among other things) wise speech. This should receive the king’s favor. But, since sin causes shame to the people (verse 34b), the king has a duty to express his wrath (Proverbs 14:35b) upon those whose shameful speech proceeds from a shameful heart.
This is not restricted to earthly kingdoms. For, there is One Who is king over all, and He perfectly performs His kingly duties (Proverbs 15:3). We are created to use our tongues in life-giving imitation of the King Himself (Proverbs 15:4a). Using it crookedly, perversely, imitates the devil by crushing life (verse 4b).
How are you filtering what comes out of your mouth? What effect do your behavior, and your speech, have upon your own family/church/community? Would others characterize your speech has gentle or harsh? What consideration do you give to what God sees, in how you use your mouth? To whom are you giving life with your words? How are you refraining from harming with your words?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for creating us in Your image, so that our speech can do good. Forgive us for when we have been unrestrained in harsh or harmful speech, and make us more like Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”