Living Waters Wednesday Teaching C. Holoman-#17 Psalm 119 February 11, 2009

Off the internet last week. (Reuters Life!) – Authorities believe they have found an ancient version of the Bible written in Syriac, a dialect of the native language of Jesus. The manuscript was found in a police raid on suspected antiquity smugglers. Turkish Cypriot police testified in a court hearing they believe the manuscript could be about 2,000 years old. The manuscript carries excerpts of the Bible written in gold lettering on vellum and loosely strung together, photos provided to Reuters showed. One page carries a drawing of a tree, and another eight lines of Syriac script.

Note the artwork. What is the drawing about?

Note this recurring theme in biblical based art and ministry. ‘Shalom’ (wholeness of life) Written of Jesus Christ as John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God,..

Encourage diligence in your Read the Bible Through in a Year Today’s reading is Leviticus So far this year: Gen, Job & Ex. The book of Leviticus concentrates on the sacraments of priesthood instrumental to the invisible realities of God’s invitations to us.

1 Peter 2:9 But you (church) are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. We are saved for purposes beyond ourselves; for priesthood to the community of believers and for the world.

Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Leviticus high points Priests were to be examples and imparters of holiness. Note the intercessory role of priests. Holiness was consistently expressed artistically. Holiness was taught to be acted out. The invisible reality behind sacrifice. Especially chapters: 16, 19, 23, 26.

Leviticus is not the book of priesthood, it is a book of priesthood. The Book of Priesthood is the Bible.

Psalm 119 A beatitude of the torah as word of God

Psalm 119 Note Hebrew parallels Psalm 119:1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!

Psalm 119:97 Oh, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Thy commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep thy precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep thy word. 102 I do not turn aside from thy ordinances, for thou hast taught me. 103 How sweet are thy words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart I seek thee; let me not wander from thy commandments! 11 I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Psalm 119:24 Thy testimonies are my delight, they are my counselors.

Psalm 119:29 Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me thy law! 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set thy ordinances before me. 31 I cleave to thy testimonies,.. 32 I will run in the way of thy commandments..

Psalm 119:41 Let thy steadfast love come to me, O LORD, thy salvation according to thy promise; 42 then shall I have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust in thy word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in thy ordinances.

Psalm 119:44 I will keep thy law continually, for ever and ever; 45 and I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought thy precepts. James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.

Psalm 119:57 The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep thy words. 58 I entreat thy favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to thy promise. 59 When I think of thy ways, I turn my feet to thy testimonies;

Psalm 119:63 I am a companion of all who fear thee, of those who keep thy precepts.

Psalm 119:65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according to thy word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in thy commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I keep thy word.

Psalm 119:73 Thy hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments.

Psalm 119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:160 The sum of thy word is truth; and every one of thy righteous ordinances endures for ever.

Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at thy word like one who finds great spoil.

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have those who love thy law; nothing can make them stumble.

Psalm 119:169 Let my cry come before thee, O LORD; give me understanding according to thy word! 170 Let my supplication come before thee; deliver me according to thy word. 171 My lips will pour forth praise that thou dost teach me thy statutes. 172 My tongue will sing of thy word, for all thy commandments are right. 173 Let thy hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen thy precepts. 174 I long for thy salvation, O LORD, and thy law is my delight. 175 Let me live, that I may praise thee, and let thy ordinances help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments.

Encourage diligence in your Read the Bible Through in a Year Today’s reading is Leviticus So far this year: Gen, Job & Ex. The book of Leviticus concentrates on the sacraments of priesthood instrumental to the invisible realities of God’s invitations to us.

Planned End Feb 11, 2009