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Worship VIII Day 4 Everyday Praise: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Everyday Praise!

The Questions

1) Why did Paul interrupt a logical discussion of God’s plan of salvation to break out in praise?

2) Why does Paul refer to both God and the Lord in this passage?

3) What is the significance of the phrase “To Him be the glory forever?” (verse 36)

Romans 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches

and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable his judgments

and untraceable his ways!

34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? 

Or who has been his counselor?

35 And who has ever given to God,

that he should be repaid? 

36 For from him and through him

and to him are all things. 

To him be the glory forever. Amen.

Original Intent

1) Why did Paul interrupt a logical discussion of God’s plan of salvation to break out in praise?
These three verses at the end of Romans 11 stand as unabashed praise. In contrast, most of Romans is a logical explanation of salvation that includes questions and answers intentionally designed to explain God’s grace and Jesus’ fulfillment of Scripture through His death and resurrection. Chapter 11 begins with the question, “Has God rejected His people?” Paul quickly answers his question with a resounding “Absolutely not.” Paul explains that God used the transgressions of the Jews, his chosen people, to bring salvation to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) so that the Jews would want to experience God’s grace in mercy in Jesus. In verse 11 Paul asks, “I (Paul) ask, then, have they (the Jews, God’s chosen people) stumbled so as to fall (to be forever separate from God)?” (parentheses mine) Continuing into verse 12, Paul answers with certainty, “Absolutely not! On the contrary, by their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. Now if their transgression brings riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring!” He explains that Gentiles have been grafted into the family of God just as a wild olive branch is grafted into a cultivated olive tree, but Jews are the native branches designed to bear fruit when connected to the root. God’s gifts and calling for the Jews are irrevocable. (verses 16-29) As Paul ponders God’s mercy and plan of salvation for both Jew and Gentile, he can’t help but celebrate “the depths of God’s wisdom and knowledge.” This chapter’s tone changes from logical explanation to unrestrained joy at the realization of God’s mercy and wisdom as He lavishes His love on all people.

2) Why does Paul refer to both God and the Lord in this passage?
Scholars believe that Romans 11:33-34 draws from passages in Isaiah and Job, which are quite similar. Isaiah 41:13-14 says, “Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who gave Him counsel? Who did He consult? Who gave Him understanding and taught Him the paths of justice? Who taught Him knowledge and showed Him the way of understanding?” Job 11:7 asks, “Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?”
In the Bible, the name “Lord” is used to denote the sovereignty and reign of God as king or master. The general term “lord” means someone who has control and authority based on their position. Isaiah’s words highlight the sovereignty, authority, and understanding of the Lord. Paul restates Isaiah’s phrasing in verse 34, to underscore the reality that only the One True God is all-knowing and all-powerful. “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” The Hebrew word for God is Elohim, meaning “Creator.” It is first used in Genesis 1, “God created the heavens and the earth.” As Paul marvels at the Creator’s plan, he can’t help but praise “the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God.” We can see God’s creative ability in His generosity and provision for all humanity. Even though He alone holds all power and authority, He still shows mercy and kindness to all people and pursues them with love. What love!

3) What is the significance of the phrase “To Him be the glory forever?” (verse 36)
This phrase is often used in the New Testament at the end of letters. (See 1 Timothy 1:17 and 2 Peter 3:18) Paul’s words are not random, rather they are a clear reminder that all glory belongs to God for ever. The initial proclamation of God’s glory in the New Testament is in Luke 2:13-14, “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Glory is a word of magnificent depth that reflects God’s presence, grandeur, and splendor in infinite ways. The angels broke out in song as they rejoiced at God’s plan of salvation coming to fruition in the birth of Jesus. In the Old Testament, the glory of God is obvious, often accompanying tangible signs as evidence of the unseen God. For instance, the arrival of manna in Exodus 16:7 was evidence of the glory of the Lord. At Mt. Sinai, God’s glory was apparent to everyone thick clouds covered the mountain and the earth shook with His presence. (Exodus 24:16) As the Lord rested His glorious presence on the Tabernacle, Israel stood in awe of the Lord’s magnificent glory! (Exodus 40:34)

Everyday Application

1) Why did Paul interrupt a logical discussion of God’s plan of salvation to break out in praise?

As I read this passage, I identified with Paul’s desire to worship in response to God’s grace and His plan of salvation for all people. His mercy and kindness to all of humanity is amazing. His ability to work all things (even rejection by His chosen people) together for good is evident when I ponder that Gentiles, like me, are now able to experience the abundant blessings of being grafted into His family.  I am amazed by the depths of God’s wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. As a writer, when I study a topic deeply, I sit and marvel at God’s design and His plan, as it is all so far beyond my imaginings. I marvel at the intricacies of nature from the tiniest atom to the vastness of space. A beautiful day leads me to focus on God’s goodness to all of creation. Even my inability to understand God’s inscrutable and untraceable ways contrasts His glory to my finite understanding. Worship fills my heart in response to understanding even a little bit about God. Challenge yourself to view your everyday life through the lens of worship. Where is the Lord giving you opportunities to understand and worship Him more clearly because of ordinary life happenings?

 

2) Why does Paul refer to both God and the Lord in this passage? 

Paul was a well-learned Hebrew scholar, so his choice to use both “God” and “Lord” is a clue to help his readers understand this passage. He wasn’t merely trying to throw in extra words to make himself sound better; these were both intentionally chosen to communicate the vastness of God better. As I read Paul’s words, I thought about God, the Creator, and the exceedingly abundant wisdom and knowledge He used when creating the universe­­; every element, cell, plant, and animal all have a divine purpose to declare His glory and point us to knowing Him. When we come face to face with God’s unexpected and extraordinary wisdom, it is astounding! Understanding Jesus as our Lord keeps us from elevating our knowledge and experience above Him, as He holds all rule and reign. Paul asked, “Who could know the mind or the Lord or be his counselor?” This Greek word for “counselor” has a similar meaning to “consultant.” The Lord doesn’t need our advice. Everything we have, our resources, wisdom, and breath has been given to us by His grace. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” When I remind myself of the Lord’s resources, I start praising and stop worrying. 

 

3) What is the significance of the phrase “To Him be the glory forever?” (verse 36)

The word doxology comes from the Greek doxa, which means “glory, splendor, grandeur” and logos, which is translated “word” or “speaking.” When we write, sing, or speak of the glory and splendor of God, we are sharing His glory with others. Just as the angels burst forth in celebration at the birth of Jesus Christ by proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest,” we have this same opportunity to praise God before others. Our days are rich with chances to offer our own doxology whether privately between us and God, or publicly for others to hear as well. We can bring glory to God by acknowledging His vast riches, wisdom, and knowledge as we see evidence of them in our everyday life. Even in difficulty, our struggles to understand God’s plan for our lives, or when we are amazed at the unfathomable depths of God’s wisdom and judgement, we can reflect His unchanging glory and goodness to those around us.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Everyday Praise!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Worship VIII Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Follow Day 12 Question, Follow, Faith: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Question, Follow, Faith!

The Questions

1) Why does God say His ways and thoughts are not ours? (verse 8)

2) How can we follow God’s ways when they do not align with our own ideas and wishes?

3) What biblical events can encourage us to have faith in God’s ways?

Isaiah 55:8-11

8  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. 9 “For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11 so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

Original Intent

1) Why does God say His ways and thoughts are not ours? (verse 8)
We all have a sinful nature (Romans 3:9), meaning we can never please God on our own, but God is divine and perfect. He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10); God intimately knows everything. We, on the other hand, have gone astray like sheep and turned to our own sinful ways. Our continual choice to serve ourselves over God by choosing sin is why Jesus came to earth to bare our iniquities on the cross by His death. (Isaiah 53:6) Therefore, His thoughts and ways are much higher and better than our own. Just like the heavens are higher than the earth (Isaiah 55:9). Only He has ultimate understanding, authority, and complete righteousness!

2) How can we follow God’s ways when they do not align with our own ideas and wishes?
In Moses’ time, the Lord had commanded the Israelites to “love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, keep his commands, be loyal to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” (Joshua 22:5) They were familiar with His laws and ways, yet the people often wandered off His path of wisdom. When Moses stayed too long on Mount Sinai, the people resorted to creating and worshipping a golden calf, a thing strictly forbidden for only God is worthy of worship! (Exodus 32:1) They were released from bondage in Egypt, yet they grumbled they didn’t have water or nice food like in the city. (Exodus 17:3; Exodus 16:2-3) Even His chosen people struggled to come to terms with God’s ways and plans. Wise followers of Jesus know that God’s way alone is perfect. (Psalm 18:30). They understand that His plans are for their well-being, to provide a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Whenever it feels like God is pushing them into a direction opposite where they want to go, the righteous person remembers God’s ways are higher. They remember that, although a way may seem right to a person, its end might lead to death. (Proverbs 14:12)

3) What biblical events can encourage us to have faith in God’s ways?
An excellent biblical account of someone whose plans were different than God’s plans must be Joseph from the Old Testament. (Genesis 37:1 – 47:12) Jacob had 12 sons, of whom Joseph was his favourite. His favoritism was lavished on Joseph in the form of a beautiful coat of many colors, and he even received dreams from God. Then one day, he was sold as a slave by his own jealous brothers! He was taken to Egypt away from his beloved father, not knowing what would happen to him. Perhaps he even felt as if God had abandoned him. Nothing could be further from the truth, however, for God had amazing plans for Joseph that went far beyond anything he could imagine on his own. Joseph eventually became governor, acting as second in command to none but Pharaoh. Eventually, God brought redemption through Joseph to the brothers who had disowned him and used Joseph’s place of influence to provide for his family during a time of immense drought. Not only did God use one man’s story to rescue his immediate family, but through these divinely ordained plans, God planted “His Family” the Hebrews, from Joseph’s family. You might know them from a different name, as Jews. An entire nation was birthed because God’s plans overtook man’s plans!

Everyday Application

1) Why does God say His ways and thoughts are not ours? (verse 8)
Although we’d like to think our ways and thoughts are just as perfect as God’s, they’re simply not. The Bible tells us we’re all sinners, not one of us is righteous. (Romans 3:9) None of us will attain to God’s level of holiness on our own without Jesus. We don’t even know what we should pray for and need the Spirit’s help to pray correctly! (Romans 8:26) In contrast, God is perfect! His Son, who is God’s exact image (Hebrews 1:3), never sinned in His time on earth although He was tempted in every way as we are. (Hebrews 4:15) His divinity was able to withstand the devil. We are not able to do so alone. Our human nature is more willing to surrender to evil than to good (Romans 7:18-19), and it’s only through Christ we have the hope of eternal life with God. In other words, our ways and thoughts are wicked on their own. Only God’s ways and thoughts are perfect, and therefore, they’re not ours.

2) How can we follow God’s ways when they do not align with our own ideas and wishes?
Jesus is very straightforward to us in saying, “If anyone loves me, he will keep My word.” (John 14:23) We already read in Isaiah 55:11 where God said, “So My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do”. In other words, if we love Him, we will be able to keep His Word through the power of His Spirit living within us. His ways and His thoughts are active in us when we submit to following Him. If we trust Him, we will obey and follow the Lord even though we cannot see where He’s leading us. God knows all things and knows exactly how everything will work out. We need to have faith in Him for He is faithful (Hebrews 10:23) and His ways are perfect. And they always accomplish what they were supposed to do. His plans are never in vain. Remembering this can help us abandon our own thoughts and surrender to God.

3) What biblical events can encourage us to have faith in God’s ways?
When we look in the New Testament, we can be inspired and encouraged by all the disciples of Jesus (and obviously Jesus Himself). Each life was flipped upside down from the moment they met Jesus, and even more so after His crucifixion and resurrection. They were imprisoned (Acts 12:3), beaten (2 Corinthians 11:25), and eventually killed (Acts 12:2) for following Christ. Saul was on his way to Damascus to bring an end of the spread of Christianity. Instead, the Lord stopped him on his tracks and blinded him (Acts 9:1-9). Saul, then became Paul, left his old life of persecution behind and influenced the early church, (and our own modern lives!), by his preaching and writing. In fact, the majority of the New Testament consists of Paul’s letters to encourage and strengthen the church! I’m sure his life didn’t really play out the way he had initially planned. Yet, he trusted God every step of the way, whether free or imprisoned, he sang praises to the Lord (Acts 16:25) and continued to follow Christ until death. Reading their stories and experiences as often as we can will encourage us to remain faithful as we pursue Christ in everyday life. Even if God rearranges our plans in different ways than we had hoped or dreamed, surrender to his hand, acknowledging His plans are necessary for our growth in faith and the work for His glory.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Question, Follow, Faith!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Follow Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Hallel Day 7 We Will Bless: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out We Will Bless!

The Questions

1) Why is trusting the Lord reiterated three times in verses 9-11 and what is the progression of specific people called out signify?

2) What is the significance of calling out specific groups of people? (verses 9-11)

3) Why would verses 17-18 have been especially meaningful or even confusing for the disciples as they sang these words at the last Passover with Jesus?

Psalm 115:9-18

Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
He will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord—
small and great alike.

14 May the Lord add to your numbers,
both yours and your children’s.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the Lord’s,
but the earth he has given to the human race.
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
nor any of those descending into the silence of death.
18 But we will bless the Lord,
both now and forever.
Hallelujah!

Original Intent

1) Why is trusting the Lord reiterated three times in verses 9-11 and what is the progression of specific people called out signify?
These verses immediately follow blatant descriptions of idols made by human hands and how foolish it is to worship them. (verses 4-8, Isaiah 44:9-20) They are proven untrustworthy and utterly incapable of bringing about any change in real life, let alone protection or blessing. With night and day contrast, the psalmist presses in, “….trust in the Lord! He is a help and shield!” In Scripture, when a word, phrase, or series of phrases is repeated, it is meant to underline its importance. It’s the equivalent of lifting the chin of a child and emphasizing, “Hey, look at me, I’m serious about this.”. This phrasing isn’t repeated once, but three times. This level of importance trumps all others. Pay attention, this is for real. Repeat it. Memorize it. Tattoo it on your arm. “Trust in the Lord! He is a help and shield!”  

2) What is the significance of calling out specific groups of people? (verses 9-11)
The progression of specific groups of people is interesting, and important to notice. “House of Israel” (verse 9) is beseeched first, calling the entirety of the nation of Israel as a whole. All of God’s chosen people, hello, pay attention here! Then the focus narrows to, “House of Aaron” (verse 10), signifying the Levites, which would be all the leaders within the Tabernacle. These were a smaller margin of people, who had also been especially set aside by God, to minister to Him in the temple and minister to His people. They had a pivotal role to play in spiritual leadership, and through the psalmist’s words, God calls them away from trusting in themselves or their idols. Trust Me only, says the Lord! Finally, the focus spotlights every person as an individual. “You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is a help and shield!” (verse 11) The progression of people being called out calls into focus God’s perspective on people and the high importance He places on His people as a whole, while not neglecting the beauty of a deep and intimate relationship on a personal level. In the end, all are called to trust in the Lord and have no idols before Him, none are excluded from this high calling. 

3) Why would verses 17-18 have been especially meaningful or even confusing for the disciples as they sang these words at the last Passover with Jesus?
This phrasing of “it is not the dead who praise You”, is used frequently throughout the psalms as the writer is pleading to God for life. In the previous verses, it is the blessing of life that is most evident. Life from the death of slavery. Life for a nation who wasn’t previously a nation. Life for a new generation from those who had died in the desert wanderings. Life in the new Promised Land. These were all blessings from the Lord in the form of life. Therefore, in contrast, the writer calls for the Lord to see that those who are dead cannot praise Him. Psalm 6:5 asks, “who will praise You from Sheol (meaning the grave)?”. The question itself is a plea for the continued blessing of life to be given, and protected, by the Author of Life. In an incredibly ironic scenario, the disciples heard from Jesus Himself on multiple occasions that He would be handed over to be crucified. This One, Jesus, whom the disciples had come to know as God Himself, the Source and Sustainer of life, would now, willingly, be put to death. Unfathomable!

Everyday Application

1) Why is trusting the Lord reiterated three times in verses 9-11 and what is the progression of specific people called out signify?
How often in your day to you wish you could pull back from it all? Maybe you wish you could run and hide? Maybe it’s not that intense, but you might be caught rolling your eyes or tossing a sharp verbal barb. When situations or relationships in everyday life go south, our first instinct is to suit up defensively and either wait it out while hiding in the armor, or get angry and start pushing back. These natural human instincts quite often don’t actually help strengthen our relationships or right our situations, rather they just delay the pain by trying to mute it, or make the whole thing worse. Suppose instead, we followed the strong, emphatic call from the wise psalmist and chose to “Trust the Lord!” while remembering ”He is a help and a shield!”. What can you do to start incorporating this shift? Maybe you aren’t tattooing it on your arm, but maybe you decide to write it in erasable marker on your bathroom mirror. Maybe you make it your phone’s lockscreen. Or maybe you grab a sharpie and you do write it on your arm! Whatever you do, this is worth taking seriously. It can change your focus, your relationships, and how you view your circumstances! Trusting the Lord is the doorway for His peace to fill you!

2) What is the significance of calling out specific groups of people? (verses 9-11)
Often, in the Western hemisphere, we place a supreme importance on individuality and personal freedom, ability, and expression of self. This has many strengths associated with it, but one major downfall is isolation with the idea that we don’t need anyone but ourselves. We can’t trust anyone. We don’t need anyone. We are self-made. This idea is completely counter to God’s view of people in Scripture. He didn’t intend for us to live in isolation, but together, always in community. Community with Himself and community with other brothers and sisters within the global Body of Christ are paramount and foremost. If we miss the bigger, broader picture that every believer is only a part of the whole, we have missed God’s heart for us as a people. Together, every Christian across all of time make up the singular Body, the Bride of Christ, His Church. This is critical to understanding how God sees us! In this part of the Hallel, we can be reminded that, as a Church, God is calling us to shift our eyes to Him, and off our impotent idols. He is worthy of our praise and He alone is trustworthy, a help, and a shield! Today, we don’t have the office of Levite, but we do have leaders within our church. Pastors, elders, deacons, and teachers are all called out precisely because they are the lead examples within the life of the Church. They are to model this full trust in the Lord! Finally, as individuals, having been reminded that we are one part of a whole, are to make sure our life is being lived out in the everyday through the lens of trusting the Lord. Big or small issues, He alone is trustworthy, He is worthy of worship, He is our help and shield! Trust the Lord!!

3) Why would verses 17-18 have been especially meaningful or even confusing for the disciples as they sang these words at the last Passover with Jesus?
As impossible as it was for the disciples to understand in the moment, we can see the full picture through reading the rest of the gospel story. In laying down His life, in dying our death, Jesus made true life available for all! His was the death that brought life. The death of Jesus actually did bring glory to God, because through it, no one would need to die and cease praising the Lord. In fact, just a little farther along in the Hallel, the psalmist emphatically makes this point by declaring, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” A believer who has trusted Jesus for their salvation blesses God through their physical death because they have transitioned from being apart from God, while in their body, to being in the very presence of God in Heaven! Bless the Lord with your life while you are still breathing by choosing the eternal life He offers to all and trust Him as your personal Savior from sin and eternal death and separation from Him!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with We Will Bless!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Hallel Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Worship VI Day 2 Is He Worthy?: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Is He Worthy?!

The Questions

1) Who is worthy and what makes Him worthy?

2) In these verses, why is Jesus referred to as both the Lamb and the Lion?

3) What does the song in verses 9-10 mean?

Revelation 5:1-10

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”

Original Intent

1) Who is worthy and what makes Him worthy?
In Revelation, John writes in words what God visually showed him regarding His coming kingdom. In these verses, there is a scroll no one is worthy to open except One. John uses language that would have made clear sense to those reading his words to describe the One who is worthy. In describing Him as “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah” and “The Root of David”, the reader would have known John was describing Jesus. Expositor’s Bible Commentary tells us these descriptions were taken partly from the law and partly from the prophets, therefore anyone with knowledge of the Old Testament would have known exactly who John was referring to as the long ago promised Messiah. Verse 9 leaves no questions as to why He is worthy. He is worthy because “He was slain, and with His blood He purchased for God, persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” He is worthy because of who He is as God the Son and what He has done by sacrificing Himself in our place!

2) In these verses, why is Jesus referred to as both the Lamb and the Lion?Scripture refers to Jesus as both a lamb and a lion. As a lion, we see Jesus in all His authority and power. While, as a lamb, we see the Servant who gave Himself up to death on the cross, a punishment He did not deserve, yet He took it on willingly like an innocent lamb.  The original readers would have been familiar with verses such as Isaiah 53:7 where Isaiah tells of the Lamb who would be led silently to slaughter. They would have also quickly called to mind the promise of the Messiah coming from the tribe of Judah and the line of David. In Genesis 49:9 we first see Judah referred to as a lion and John uses this same description of a lion in Revelation 10:3 to tie the two together in fullness. This connection shows readers that Jesus came to earth originally to serve and save creation as a lamb; when He returns He will return with all authority as the lion King He is.

3) What does the song in verses 9-10 mean?
This is a picture of what is to come in Heaven. Jesus came and shed His blood for all people, not only the Israelites. God gave John a glimpse into who is in Heaven and it went far, far beyond God’s chosen people during the Old Testament. Matthew Henry says, “Christ has redeemed His people from the bondage of sin, guilt, and Satan, redeemed them to God, setting them at liberty to serve Him and to enjoy Him.” Jesus came for all people, and all people will gather together in Heaven. Salvation is not only for the Israelites, but instead for anyone on earth willing to accept Jesus.

Everyday Application

1) Who is worthy and what makes Him worthy?
Only Jesus is worthy because of who He is and what He has done. There exists none other who holds His qualifications. Jesus is the innocent Lamb who was slain for the forgiveness of our sins and for reconciliation between the Father and His children. He alone is worthy because He is God the Son! We shouldn’t quickly forget that while Jesus chose to come as a man, live on earth, and die for our sins although He never sinned, Revelation paints a much fuller picture of Jesus. When He rose again and ascended to the Father, He took back up all the rights He had set aside when He came to earth. He alone is worthy! He paid it all when we never could. Often, I think we, as believers, take for granted the sacrifice of Jesus. Revelation, and the picture God gave to John of what is still yet to come, wouldn’t matter to us if it weren’t for Jesus. He redeemed creation and made the way for our forgiveness and all that is still yet to come!

2) In these verses, why is Jesus referred to as both the Lamb and the Lion?
What an absolutely contradicting picture to call someone both a lion and a lamb! When we hear the word lamb we often think about a small, easily harmed animal unable to defend itself. While the word lion conjures up a strong, fierce animal clearly able to defend itself, holding its own against any enemy. To think of Jesus in both ways creates some struggle within us if we are honest. However, He is both the Lamb that was slain for our sins and the Lamb who humbled Himself and went to the cross on His own accord. He who shed His blood for us was put to death although He was innocent. On the other hand, in Revelation we see an image of a warrior who is coming back in all His glory as a fierce lion-like Victor who has already won the war!

3) What does the song in verses 9-10 mean?
Matthew Henry says, “But when the elect of God were made slaves by sin and Satan, in every nation of the world, Christ not only purchased their liberty for them, but the highest honour and preferment, made them kings and priests —kings, to rule over their own spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one; and he has made them priests, given them access to himself, and liberty to offer up spiritual sacrifices, and they shall reign on the earth; they shall with him judge the world at the great day.” Stop and think about that. We were redeemed from the hold of Satan, purchased by the very blood of Jesus and God chooses to not only see us as redeemed but to make us priests. What an incredible honor! Yes, we are to serve God as a result of our salvation, but we are given something greater than we could have ever earned. The best part is this gift of salvation is it is for everyone. It’s not just for the Israelites in the Old Testament, or the upper class, or the socially moral, but for all people from every tribe and language people and nation. This reality should excite and challenge us! There will be diversity beyond anything we could imagine when we are together in Heaven. This should also remind us of our job to share the good news of Jesus with everyone and not just those like us. Do we find ourselves staying within our circles of comfort, unconsciously keeping those who are different from us, far from us? All deserve to hear, and while none of us deserve the gift Jesus is giving, we are all offered it and called to extend it. Our job is to continue to share the truth of the Gospel with everyone, not only those we deem worthy. Jesus deems us all worthy of His gift of love and grace even in the midst of our sin and shame! Who will you intentionally share love with?!

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2) Read it, and the verses around it,
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