Download - The Blessed Father
Psalm 128
“Choose the good
path, Dad; I’m coming
right behind you!”
A father has a great responsibility to choose the right
path for his family.
A father has a great responsibility to choose the right
path for his family.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he
is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).
A father has a great responsibility to choose the right
path for his family.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he
is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but
bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the
Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).
A father has a great responsibility to choose the right
path for his family.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he
is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but
bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the
Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).
In the past, we have spoken a good deal about that
great responsibility.
A father has a great responsibility to choose the right
path for his family.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he
is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but
bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the
Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).
In the past, we have spoken a good deal about that
great responsibility.
This morning‟s text isn‟t about that responsibility.
A father has a great responsibility to choose the right
path for his family.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he
is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but
bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the
Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).
In the past, we have spoken a good deal about that
great responsibility.
This morning‟s text isn‟t about that responsibility.
Instead, the text is about the blessings for fulfilling that
responsibility.
Psalm 128
First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.
First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.
That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children.
First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.
That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children: “Behold,
children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the
womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one‟s youth” (vv 3-4, ESV).
First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.
That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children: “Behold,
children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the
womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one‟s youth” (vv 3-4, ESV).
That Psalm ends the way this Psalm begins.
First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.
That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children: “Behold,
children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the
womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one‟s youth” (vv 3-4, ESV).
That Psalm ends the way this Psalm begins: “Blessed in
the man . . . .” (v 5, ESV).
Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of
ancient Israel.
Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of
ancient Israel.
The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the
labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV).
Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of
ancient Israel.
The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the
labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat
“the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.”
Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of
ancient Israel.
The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the
labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat
“the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.”
The text also speaks of the wife “within your house” (v
3, ESV).
Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of
ancient Israel.
The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the
labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat
“the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.”
The text also speaks of the wife “within your house” (v
3, ESV).
The Hebrew literally reads, “In the innermost parts of
your house.”
Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of
ancient Israel.
The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the
labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat
“the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.”
The text also speaks of the wife “within your house” (v
3, ESV).
The Hebrew literally reads, “In the innermost parts of
your house.”
In ancient Oriental cultures, the women‟s quarters were
the innermost parts of the house, & they, therefore, were
not generally expected to be seen outside of the house.
Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of
ancient Israel.
Thus, some of the imagery the psalmist uses will
sound quite strange to us.
Third, this Psalm, like the other Psalms, is poetry.
Third, this Psalm, like the other Psalms, is poetry.
The psalmist compares the wife to a “fruitful vine” &
the children to “olive shoots” (v 3, ESV).
Third, this Psalm, like the other Psalms, is poetry.
The psalmist compares the wife to a “fruitful vine” &
the children to “olive shoots” (v 3, ESV).
Therefore, we need to be careful about taking this
Psalm too literally.
This morning, we want
to examine "THE
BLESSED FATHER."
This morning, we want
to examine "THE
BLESSED FATHER."
A FEARFUL FIDELITY
A FRUITFUL FAMILY
A FAITHFUL FELLOWSHIP
A FEARFUL FIDELITY
v 1
“Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks
in his ways!” (v 1, ESV).
What does it mean to
"fear the LORD"?
Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.
Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.
Thus, the second line often explains the first line.
Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.
Thus, the second line often explains the first line.
“Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful
tongue” (Ps 120:2, ESV).
Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.
Thus, the second line often explains the first line.
“Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful
tongue” (Ps 120:2, ESV).
“Lying lips” & “a deceitful tongue” refer to the same
thing—viz., a lying person.
Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.
Thus, the second line often explains the first line.
Therefore, in this Psalm, fearing the LORD is the
same thing as walking in his ways.
Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means
“honoring him in daily lives.”
Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means
“honoring him in daily lives.”
“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was
Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who
feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1, ESV).
Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means
“honoring him in daily lives.”
Job 1:1.
“Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD” (Prov
14:2, ESV).
Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means
“honoring him in daily lives.”
Job 1:1.
Prov 14:2.
“The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit
of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and
might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the
LORD” (Is 11:2, ESV).
In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys
him.
In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys
him.
Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing
him.
In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys
him.
Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing
him.
After Saul took spoil from the Amalekites, contrary to
the will of God, “the word of the LORD came to
Samuel: „I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has
turned back from following me and has not performed
my commandments‟” (1 Sm 15:10-11, ESV).
In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys
him.
Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing
him.
1 Sm 15:10-11.
God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going
against the Amalekites.
In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys
him.
Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing
him.
1 Sm 15:10-11.
God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going
against the Amalekites.
“Devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare
them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox
and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Sm 15:3, ESV).
In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys
him.
Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing
him.
1 Sm 15:10-11.
God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going
against the Amalekites.
“Devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare
them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox
and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Sm 15:3, ESV).
But, Saul & his men refused to “devote to destruction”
everything.
In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys
him.
Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing
him.
1 Sm 15:10-11.
God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going
against the Amalekites.
“Devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare
them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox
and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Sm 15:3, ESV).
But, Saul & his men refused to “devote to destruction”
everything. Therefore, the LORD rejected Saul as king.
In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys
him.
Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing
him.
1 Sm 15:10-11.
“This day the LORD your God commands you to do
these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful
to do them with all your heart and with all your soul”
(Deut 26:16, ESV).
In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys
him.
Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing
him.
1 Sm 15:10-11.
Deut 26:16.
“Not everyone who says to me, „Lord, Lord,‟ will enter
the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will
of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21, ESV).
Do we fear the LORD &
walk in his ways?
A FRUITFUL FAMILY
vv 3, 6
“You wife will be like a fruitful vine within your
house; your children will be like olive shoots around
your table” (v 3, ESV).
The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.
The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.
“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit
of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).
The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.
“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit
of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).
The image of the vine was quite important in ancient
Israel.
The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.
“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit
of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).
The image of the vine was quite important in ancient
Israel.
It was a symbol of peace & prosperity.
The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.
“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit
of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).
The image of the vine was quite important in ancient
Israel.
It was a symbol of peace & prosperity: “Judah and Israel
lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man
under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of
Solomon” (1 Ki 4:25, ESV).
The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.
“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit
of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).
The image of the vine was quite important in ancient
Israel.
It was a symbol of peace & prosperity (1 Ki 4:25).
It was a symbol of the Messianic age.
The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.
“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit
of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).
The image of the vine was quite important in ancient
Israel.
It was a symbol of peace & prosperity (1 Ki 4:25).
It was a symbol of the Messianic age.
In the latter days “they shall sit every man under his vine
and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid,
for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken” (Mic 4:4,
ESV).
The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.
“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit
of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).
The image of the vine was quite important in ancient
Israel.
It was a symbol of peace & prosperity (1 Ki 4:25).
It was a symbol of the Messianic age.
Mic 4:4.
“In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you
will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under
his fig tree” (Zech 3:10, ESV).
How should we
understand this
image?
This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife.
This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife.
“The LORD God said, „It is not good that the man
should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him‟”
(Gn 2:18, ESV).
This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife.
“The LORD God said, „It is not good that the man
should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him‟”
(Gn 2:18, ESV).
“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Prov
12:4, ESV).
This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife.
“The LORD God said, „It is not good that the man
should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him‟”
(Gn 2:18, ESV).
“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Prov
12:4, ESV).
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains
favor from the LORD” (Prov 18:22, ESV).
Do we realize what a
blessing our wives
are?
Do we honor God by “showing honor to the woman”
(1 Pt 3:7, ESV)?
Do we honor God by “showing honor to the woman”
(1 Pt 3:7, ESV)?
Do we love God by loving our wives “as Christ loved
the church” (Eph 5:25, ESV)?
The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots
around his table.
The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots
around his table.
The olive was very important in ancient Israel.
The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots
around his table.
The olive was very important in ancient Israel.
Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex
27:20).
The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots
around his table.
The olive was very important in ancient Israel.
Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex
27:20).
Olives, with spices & perfumes, was part of the oil used
for anointing priests (Ex 30:24).
The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots
around his table.
The olive was very important in ancient Israel.
Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex
27:20).
Olives, with spices & perfumes, was part of the oil used
for anointing priests (Ex 30:24).
Olives provided food (Hab 3:17).
The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots
around his table.
The olive was very important in ancient Israel.
Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex
27:20).
Olives, with spices & perfumes, was part of the oil used
for anointing priests (Ex 30:24).
Olives provided food (Hab 3:17).
Olive oil was even used medicinally.
The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots
around his table.
The olive was very important in ancient Israel.
The olive tree takes many years to reach maturity.
The point is that with careful cultivation our children
will provide fruit for years to come.
The point is that with careful cultivation our children
will provide fruit for years to come.
A point could be that children will bear their own
children.
The point is that with careful cultivation our children
will provide fruit for years to come.
A point could be that children will bear their own
children.
But, because of the emphasis on righteousness, the
point is likely that mature children will continue a
righteous heritage.
Children often imitate their parents.
Children often imitate their parents.
Abijam “walked in all the sins that his father did before
him, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD
his God” (1 Ki 15:3, ESV).
Children often imitate their parents.
Abijam “walked in all the sins that his father did before
him, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD
his God” (1 Ki 15:3, ESV).
Uzziah “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD,
according to all that his father Amaziah had done” (2
Chr 26:4, ESV).
“May you see your children‟s children!” (v 6, ESV).
Most Israelites—like most people today—had
grandchildren.
Most Israelites—like most people today—had
grandchildren.
But, with lower life spans, most people never saw their
grandchildren.
Most Israelites—like most people today—had
grandchildren.
But, with lower life spans, most people never saw their
grandchildren.
Thus grandchildren were a high-prized blessing.
Most Israelites—like most people today—had
grandchildren.
But, with lower life spans, most people never saw their
grandchildren.
Thus grandchildren were a high-prized blessing:
“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the
glory of children is their fathers” (Prov 17:6, ESV).
Is your family, because
of your righteousness,
A FRUITFUL FAMILY?
A FAITHFUL
FELLOWSHIP
v 5
The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the
prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!” (v 5,
ESV).
“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem.
“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem.
David took Zion on his conquest of Jerusalem (2 Sm
5:6-10).
“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem.
David took Zion on his conquest of Jerusalem (2 Sm
5:6-10).
Biblical writers use “Zion” to refer to (a) Jerusalem; (b)
the Temple; or (c) the heavenly city.
“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem.
David took Zion on his conquest of Jerusalem (2 Sm
5:6-10).
Biblical writers use “Zion” to refer to (a) Jerusalem; (b)
the Temple; or (c) the heavenly city.
The relation of Zion to Jerusalem in this verse
suggests that we should think of Zion as Jerusalem, the
place where God dwelt in the Temple (1 Ki 8:10-11).
The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the
prosperity of Jerusalem.”
The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the
prosperity of Jerusalem.”
When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem,
they were greatly concerned about the security of
Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic
kingdom.
The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the
prosperity of Jerusalem.”
When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem,
they were greatly concerned about the security of
Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic
kingdom.
The Psalm is “A Song of Ascents,” one the people would
sing as they traveled to Jerusalem for an important feast.
The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the
prosperity of Jerusalem.”
When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem,
they were greatly concerned about the security of
Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic
kingdom.
The Psalm is “A Song of Ascents,” one the people would
sing as they traveled to Jerusalem for an important feast.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure
who love you! Peace be within your walls and security
within your towers!” (Psalm 122:6-7, ESV).
The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the
prosperity of Jerusalem.”
When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem,
they were greatly concerned about the security of
Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic
kingdom.
Jerusalem & Temple worship mattered to a faithful
Israelite to the core of his being.
How much do such
things matter to us?
How much do such
things matter to us?
How much do we care about
the church?
The church should matter to us greatly.
The church should matter to us greatly.
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock,
in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to
care for the church of God, which he obtained with his
own blood” (Acts 20:28, ESV).
The church should matter to us greatly.
Acts 20:28.
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her,
having cleansed her by the washing of water with the
word, so that he might present the church to himself in
splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:25-
28, ESV).
The church should matter to us greatly.
Does the church really matter that much to us?
The church should matter to us greatly.
Does the church really matter that much to us?
The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10,
ESV).
The church should matter to us greatly.
Does the church really matter that much to us?
The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10,
ESV).
I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon
the earth.
The church should matter to us greatly.
Does the church really matter that much to us?
The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10,
ESV).
I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon
the earth.
But, can‟t we pray, “Your kingdom spread?”
The church should matter to us greatly.
Does the church really matter that much to us?
The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10,
ESV).
I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon
the earth.
But, can‟t we pray, “Your kingdom spread?”
The principle of Jesus‟ prayer is that the kingdom of God
fill the earth.
The church should matter to us greatly.
Does the church really matter that much to us?
The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10,
ESV).
I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon
the earth.
But, can‟t we pray, “Your kingdom spread?”
The principle of Jesus‟ prayer is that the kingdom of God
fill the earth.
Shall we pray for the church?
Do we care about the
church as the ancient
Israelites cared about
the Temple?
Man
Family
Man
Jerusalem
Family
Man
Israel
Jerusalem
Family
Man
The point: As men live like they should, families live
like they should; as families live like they should, cities
live like they should, as cities live like they should,
nations live like they should.
The point: As men live like they should, families live
like they should; as families live like they should, cities
live like they should, as cities live like they should,
nations live like they should.
“As goes the home, so goes the nation.”
We often lament the moral decline in this nation.
We often lament the moral decline in this nation.
There can be no doubt but that there is serious, serious
moral decay in America.
We often lament the moral decline in this nation.
There can be no doubt but that there is serious, serious
moral decay in America.
But, we can do something about it.
We often lament the moral decline in this nation.
There can be no doubt but that there is serious, serious
moral decay in America.
But, we can do something about it—live right & train
our families to live right.
Are you training your
family to live
righteously?
Are you training your
family to live
righteously?
Are you living righteously?
