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Words of Life and Hope

The document discusses the concept of transcendence and God's holiness based on Psalm 99. It describes how God is set apart and higher than humanity. It analyzes different verses in the psalm about God being enthroned above cherubim and how his people should respond to his awesome power with shaking. It also discusses how God's thoughts are not human thoughts and how he has shown justice for Israel. The document examines how great figures like Moses, Aaron and Samuel encountered God's holiness through their prayers and revelations despite also having human failings.

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23 views2 pages

Words of Life and Hope

The document discusses the concept of transcendence and God's holiness based on Psalm 99. It describes how God is set apart and higher than humanity. It analyzes different verses in the psalm about God being enthroned above cherubim and how his people should respond to his awesome power with shaking. It also discusses how God's thoughts are not human thoughts and how he has shown justice for Israel. The document examines how great figures like Moses, Aaron and Samuel encountered God's holiness through their prayers and revelations despite also having human failings.

Uploaded by

maineventviptix
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WORDS OF LIFE AND HOPE: LIFE THROUGH GOD’S TRANSCENDENCE

PSALM 99

“Christianity isn’t a ladder the good climb toward getting better – Christ is a
lifeline that the bad hold onto in their failure to be good.” Ann Voskamp

Transcendence: recognition of God’s distance & holiness from us

The poet makes striking use of the symbolic significance (completeness) of the
number seven. 7 times he speaks of the “LORD” and 7 times he refers to Him by
means of independent personal pronouns.

Read Psalm 99: 1-5: HOLINESS ENTHRONED

Holy: set apart – used here to emphasize the distance between God and man:
not only morally, as between the pure and the polluted, but in the realm of
being, between the eternal and the creaturely. Vs. 3 assures us that the gulf has
been bridged from the far side! The repeated cry “Holy is He” (vs. 3 & 5)
forbids us to take it casually

First clue: vs 1: ‘enthroned above the cherubim’ – Ex 25: 10, 17-20 & Is 6: 1-4;
follow with Psalm 18: 6-19

Vs. 1: “let the peoples shake” “let the earth shake” – synonymous parallelism:
saying the same thing twice. Reinforcing the effect of being in the presence of
awesome power – the proper response! Prov. 7: 1a

Vs 2-3: He reigns in Zion; initially the earthly city but ultimately the whole
company of those who love Him. His grandeur is not solitary; it is in the midst
of His covenanted people. Let them flesh this out: Zion was the home of God
b/c it was the home of His people. So it is the symbol of God being in the midst
of His children.

Vs. 4: Only in God are justice; equity; righteousness and holiness ONE. Read Is.
55: 8-9: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My
ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are
My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Discuss
what this means for us: r/t our circumstances, our government, etc.

Vs. 5: The beautiful metaphor linking the heavenly throne with the earthly. The
Lord has shown the quality of His rule by what He has done for Israel.

Read Psalm 99: 6-9: HOLINESS ENCOUNTERED

The impact of God’s holiness on the worshipper

1. POSITIVE: prayers heard and revelation given


a. Vs 6-7: Names the greats (intermediaries in times of great crises):
Moses, Aaron & Samuel: They are not in a class apart. We can be in
their company: 1Peter 2: 9-10 & Hebrews 7: 25, 28-8: 1

2. NEGATIVE: reinforces the positive and is two-fold


a. Vs 8: While these men were at heart obedient, vs 8 reminds us that
they had human frailities like our own. Moses – striking the rock;
Aaron – leading the people to make a golden calf; Samuel – not
disciplining his evil sons. Their tragic lapse which could be forgiven but
not undone! NOTE: The distinction between the healing of the
relationship (forgiven) and the punishment of actions (an avenger).

SO; the negative reinforces the positive and is twofold: Don’t despair
of mercy nor to trade on it!!!
ASK: How do we trade on God’s mercy? Do you think we are guilty of
it?
b. Vs 9: So the theme of holiness returns. The majesty undiminished;
but the last word is now given to intimacy. He IS holy; but against all
our undeserving he is not ashamed to be called OURS! Well may we
worship.

The bottom line is His deserving our worship (Look up Cymbala’s


definition) Use the handout and have them answer the questions.

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