Shalom,
Psalm 137 recalls the plight of the Israelites during their captivity in Babylon. This is from the Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament:
Psalms 137
A Jew, probably a Levite, wrote this psalm after he had returned home from Babylon with the remnant in 536 B.C. Twenty years later, Babylon was destroyed. The psalmist was with a group of former exiles (note the "we" and "us" in vv. 1-4), recalling some of their experiences, and from this encounter with the past, he learned some lessons about the human memory, himself, and the Lord.
The psalmist was remembering how they were treated in Babylon, but that's not the only thing he was remembering! Verses 7-8:
7 Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites, that they said in the day of Jerusalem's fall, Down, down to the ground with her! 8 O Daughter of Babylon [you devastator, you!] who [ought to be and ] shall be destroyed, happy and blessed shall he be who requites you as you have served us.
He also remembered what God's Word had to say about the future of those who oppressed God's people! The Edomites were the descendants of Jacob's (Israel) brother Esau. They were blood relatives of the Israelites and should have shown them mercy! Instead, their SURE reward for touching God's anointed was foretold in Isaiah 63:1-6; Jeremiah 49:7-22; Ezekiel 25:12-14 & 35:1;and in Obadiah. Babylon, who had gone to the extreme in their inhumanity to the Israelites, were facing what was spoken in Isaiah 13 and Jeremiah 51:56. Notice above that "Twenty years later, Babylon was destroyed". Speaking in New Testament terms, THAT is why we are to bless those who curse us and pray for those who despitefully use us! Why? Because they also have a sure reward for their behavior! Our prayer is that the eyes of their understanding will be open to the Truth so that they can receive Jesus of Nazareth as their personal Savior and can repent of their actions toward us!
2 Corinthians 10:17-18:
17 However, let him who boasts and glories boast and glory in the Lord. 18 For [it is] not [the man] who praises and commends himself who is approved and accepted, but [it is the person] whom the Lord accredits and commends.
"Commends" is the Greek word " sunistao:, which means: to recommend, to give approval to, to approve, to represent as worthy. We can brag on ourselves all day long, but that pulls no weight in Heaven! The ONLY commendation that should mean anything to us is that which comes from the One Who will say "Well done, good and faithful servant"! Let's brag and boast about our wonderful God and declare His wonderful works! Then we can EXPECT His commendation for our lives! Here is a song that BOASTS of the Lord! Hillsong Kids with "Jesus, You're My Super Hero"
We finished Ruth today and I found out something I hadn't seen before! Naomi had an idea! She knew that Boaz was a near kinsman who would be able, IF he so chose, to marry Ruth and then HE would provide for them both! She instructed Ruth on all the proper procedures and Ruth obeyed everything that Naomi told her, exactly the way she told her to do it! WE can learn a lesson from Ruth about how to obey the Lord and His Word! Don't try it OUR way, do it ALWAYS His way and receive HIS blessing! AMEN! When Ruth came back, the Amplified Bible says this in verse 16:
16 And when she came home, her mother-in-law said, How have you fared, my daughter? And Ruth told her all that the man had done for her.
The Complete Jewish Bible tells us what Naomi REALLY asked Ruth!
16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she asked, "Who are you? My daughter?" She told her everything the man had done for her.
What Naomi was asking is: Are you still Ruth the Moabitess, or are you soon to be Mrs. Boaz?
Isn't it fun to see something different in the Word every time you study it? I LOVE it! Keep meditating! There is SO much more in the Word of God than we will EVER know this side of Heaven!
Shalom in Him!
