2006-03-19 - Are You Perfect Yet?

Psalm 15, Part 3

First, let's examine the background of the Psalm. Next we will look at the text itself, and finally, we will see what, if any, application it may have for us today.

Background: Now keep in mind at the time David wrote this psalm, it would have been applicable to worship in the Tabernacle. Eventually the psalm would have become part of the text of worship for the Temple. And during both periods, if one was a Hebrew, he or she had to meet certain standards, in order to be able to participate in the worship of Yahweh. While it was at the Tabernacle/Temple that individual and national sins were paid for through the Sacrificial System, nevertheless, not everyone was welcome to approach.

By the time Temple worship was established, there was a court for the women. They certainly couldn't mix with the men when worship of Yahweh was going on. There was a court of the Goyam, who couldn't mix with the Hebrew. But today the wall between the Goyam and the Israelite, between the women and the men has been torn down.

If we look at the psalm by itself, we might very well ask the question, "Are you perfect yet?" And again, it is this question the unbeliever must face, for this is the only way anyone can earn their way into Heaven, that is by being perfect.

Verse 1: "Are you perfect yet?," seems to be the question which David asks. He asks God, what is the basis by which one can come to the sanctuary and into the presence of God?

Specifically, the reference here is to the sanctuary that sits on the Mount Zion. And how God answers this question becomes the basis of how the Israelite would prepare himself for worship. The answer boils down to being of "flawless character." The evil or unrighteous person has no access to God. And we know for elsewhere in the Word, that without some kind of intervention by God, none could have access to Him, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Rom 3:23

On the other hand, these are the characteristics found in His children who demonstrate maturity. They are qualities we are all to desire and must have, in order to serve Him, now within the church, and by inference in the coming kingdom. So in the next five verses, David identifies the characteristics of those who could be considered righteous.

To be continued.

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

GKragen@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org