Lessons on Prophecy, Lesson 9
In the Psalms: Part 2 (Psalms 46, 47 & 75, Jeremiah 4)
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Introduction: How is your life going? Would you answer, “Reasonably well” or “Poorly?” Is there a way that we can improve how our life progresses? God tells us that there is a better way. A way that leads to ultimate victory. Let’s jump into the study of the Bible and learn about the better way!
I. Promotion
A. Read Psalms 75:6-7. Who should we be most concerned about in our place of work? The boss? Co-workers? Customers?
1. When verse 7 says that God “executes judgment,” what kind of judgment is being referenced? (The reference to “lifting up” must refer at least to promotion in the workplace. It could refer to other kinds of honors that an employee might want to receive.)
2. What is meant by “putting down?” (God can promote you or demote you in the workplace.)
3. What does this teach us about how to improve our workplace life?
B. Read Psalms 75:4-5. What should employees avoid? (Boasting. Do not be haughty. I think we are dealing with two different types of employees. The first does well and would normally be expected to boast. The second type do not deserve to boast. They have a proud attitude even thought they have nothing to be proud about.)
C. Read Psalms 75:8. Do you think foaming wine is a good thing to drink? (No. This sounds very negative.)
D. Read Psalms 75:9-10. Are the good and the bad playing musical instruments? What does the reference to “horns” mean? (A “horn” represents an animal’s power. This tells us that the power of the wicked will come to an end. The power of the righteous shall increase!)
II. Surviving Troubling Times
A. Read Psalms 46:1-3. The middle of the United States has been suffering from some terrible weather. Imagine that where you live you have such a terrible earthquake that “mountains” are tossed “into the heart of the sea.” Imagine such severe flooding that the earth trembles while the waters roar. Have you ever suffered such a weather catastrophe?
B. Read Psalms 46:4-5. This is a completely different picture. Where is this great place to live? (This sounds like the earth made new and the river of life.)
1. Why contrast the two situations?
C. Read Psalms 46:6-9. What point is the Psalmist making about these two situations? (God is in charge!)
D. Read Psalms 46:10-11. What should you do if you want to have a better, more peaceful life? (Know God! Trust Him that He is with you. If you do, He will be your fortress.)
III. No Hope
A. Read Jeremiah 4:23. Of what does this remind you? (Read Genesis 1:2. This is intended to remind us of the state of the earth before the Creation.)
B. Read Jeremiah 4:24-26. Does this remind us of what we just read about in Psalms 46? (It seems very similar and very frightening.)
1. What is the way out of this “no hope” situation?
C. Read Jeremiah 4:1-2. The beginning of this chapter explains the way to avoid this terrible problem. What is it?
IV. The Road to Victory
A. Read Psalms 67:1-2. Does God have a “selfish” reason to bless those who follow Him? (It improves God’s image. When God blesses those who follow Him, it causes His “way to be known on earth.” It causes others to conclude that this is the path to a better life.)
B. Read Psalms 67:3. What role does your praise of God play in improving His reputation? (Attributing your blessings to God as opposed to your own efforts lifts God up before others.)
1. What is the impact if you publicly claim to be a follower of God but you are caught in some unseemly acts?
C. Read Psalms 67:4. Notice the word that the ESV translates “equity.” The KJV translates it as “righteously” and the underlying Greek means something that is level or straight. Today a popular meaning of “equity” is to discriminate against some people to achieve a result the humans in charge think is best. That is not what meant in this text. What do you think is meant by this text? (God does what is best for us. God raises up those who follow Him.)
1. Isn’t that discrimination? (It is, but it is discrimination based on merit. We chose God.)
D. Read Psalms 67:5-7. What is part of the victory of those who follow Jesus? (Blessings here on earth.)
V. The Memorial
A. Read Matthew 26:26-29. Imagine yourself at this dinner. Does it seem to be a pleasant time?
1. Notice that verse 27 refers to drinking a cup. Verse 29 calls it “this fruit of the vine.” In the first section of this study we read about the “foaming wine” in Psalms 75:8. Contrast these two.
B. Read Revelation 14:14-15. What do you think it means that the “harvest of the earth is fully ripe?” (This is the final battle against God’s enemies. The time of the end has come.)
C. Read Revelation 14:19-20. Are we talking about the fruit of the grape or something else? (We are talking about the blood of the wicked in this final battle.)
D. Look again at what Jesus says in Matthew 26:27-28. How does the Bible treat the symbolism of the fruit of the grape? (It symbolizes the blood of humans.)
E. Read 1 Corinthians 11:25-26. What does this tell us that drinking the “cup” should do for us? (It should remind us of Jesus’ death on our behalf.)
1. Do you think it should make us sad? (This is the way in which Jesus defeated sin and gave us eternal life.)
2. 1 Corinthians 11:25 says, “as often as you drink it.” Do you think this only refers to communion? Or would it be good to think about Jesus every time that we drink the fruit of the grape?
a. Since the context in this lesson is defeating evil, should we also think about the defeat of evil?
F. Friend, my ending invitation is familiar. Would you like to live a better life? Would you like ultimate victory over all the challenges of evil? Turn to Jesus and He will give you blessings and ultimate victory. Why not decide to do that right now?
VI. Next week: Upon Whom the Ends Have Come.
Copr. 2025, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail, but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.