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Psalms:15

A Psalm of David

(page last updated: October 24 2019)

Today's Text:

Today's Audio Commentary: "Who Shall Abide In Thy Tabernacle?"

Today's Commentary Outline: "Who Shall Abide In Thy Tabernacle?"

1. Who Shall Abide?: 15:1
   
• Picture in 15: today = (2 bookends and a encyclopedic set of books)
  
• Bookend 1 - Question asked "LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" 15:1
  
• Between - 11 volumes of hardback books examining in detail the defining characteristics of person this abiding person. 15:2-5
  
• Bookend 2 - Idea that a person of this caliber would abide in one place (His tabernacle) without ever being moved. 15:5
  


• The first question I have is: Who this person might be? (David? you and I? saints? Christ?)
  
• The next question I have is: how is it that this person comes to abide in the Lord's Tabernacle?
  
• Is it because he/she has done these 11 things? (How scriptural would that be?)
  
• Are the 11 defining characteristics pointed toward the phrase "who shall abide" or "He who doeth these things shall never be moved (from abiding in)"?
  
• Could it be that because of God's mercy and grace that the individual is brought in and as a result of being there in God's presence this individual is overwhelmingly influenced to become/absorb these 11 characteristics and thereby (by the total experience of God's mercy and grace) never again to be moved out of abiding? (How scriptural would that be?)
  


• One final question I will put forth: What is meant by the Lord's Tabernacle?
  
• If it is the original Tabernacle of Moses or Solomon's Temple we can readily answer question one "who" = the Levite priests and chief priests (no others).
  
• If it is the modern Protestant or Roman Catholic church we can readily answer question one "who" = anyone can walk in/sit/attend/join/serve/stay or higher = college or seminary trained/mostly men/pastors/priests/bishops/cardinals/popes etc... (and we know amongst them that these 11 defining characteristics are hit or miss).
  
• If it rather means to be in the actual presence of God then we need to immediately come to some conclusion regarding question 2... how did this person get there?
  


• Let me read to the titles of the 11 books in between the book ends of 15:
  
• + He that walketh uprightly 15:2
  
• + (He that) worketh righteousness 15:2
  
• + (He that) speaketh the truth in his heart 15:2
  
• - He that backbiteth not with his tongue 15:3
  
• - nor (He that) doeth evil to his neighbour 15:3
  
• - nor (He that) taketh up a reproach against his neighbour 15:4
  
• + (He that) In whose eyes a vile person is contemned 15:4
  
• + (He that) honoureth them that fear the LORD 15:4
  
• + (He that) sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not 15:4
  
• - He that putteth not out his money to usury 15:5
  
• - nor (He that) taketh reward against the innocent 15:5
  
• 11 volumes (6 in positive/5 in negative): seems like a fairly simple list of things to do.
  


• Let me try to explain the concern that I have for myself and those that might be looking in on 15: today:
  
• If it is our interpretation of 15: "do these 11 things and you are in", this implies that this person is actively seeking to abide/dwell in the Lord's tabernacle/hill: how many of us are truly/consciously/actively/persistently/deliberately seeking to do this?
  
• Seems to me in this case that abiding in the presence would be a temporary thing (during the time that your are able to sustain the production of these qualities God will be there) (and never be moved until you are not able to sustain them)
  
• Also, The list of 11 things to do are not as easy as they first appear (not so sure any of us have actually do all this/not sure that anyone other than Christ ever has).
  
• Where then does that leave us? (in/out/moved?)
  
• You see my concern.
  


• So this is what we are going to talk about today from 15:
  
• We're going to examine this idea of tabernacle (kjv@Hebrews:9-10 insists that everything in the Pentateuch about those OT tabernacles was an earthly pattern of heavenly things concerning Christ)
  
• We're going to examine this idea of abiding/dwelling (kjv@John:15:4 Jesus said "abide in me, and I in you")
  
• We're going to examine this list of 11 defining characteristics of the abiding person.
  
• And we're going to examine all of this with the presumption that this Psalm:15 is relevant to all saints (yesterday/today/you/I/plowman/plow-woman/pastor/cardinal or pope).
  



kjv@Psalms:15:1 @ LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?







2. "In Thy Tabernacle": 15:1
   
• It might help us to better understand what is scripturally meant by: "Thy (God's) Tabernacle":
  
• Idea = God intends to meet with HIS people in one specific place (a Tabernacle sanctified by HIS glory):
  

kjv@Exodus:29:43 "And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory".


• Idea = God enlists the willing personal offering (the spoils from God's liberation of Israel from the bondage in Egypt) to supply for it's construction:
  

kjv@Exodus:25:2 "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering".


• Idea = God gives particular men both the blueprints and spiritual wisdom to craft the Tabernacle to HIS exact specifications:
  

kjv@Exodus:25:9 "According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it".


kjv@Exodus:31:2-6 @ See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;


• Idea = God is doing this for the purpose of dwelling here with us:
  

kjv@Exodus:25:8 "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them".


• Question = Why would God go through all of this designing/enlisting/empowering/construction/operation/upkeep if this physical tent was the extent of plan?
  
• Answer = ultimately HE is seeking a place in the hearts of men and women worthy of HIS most Holy abiding presence, a acceptable place that is sanctified/consecrated by us just as HE likewise has done for us.
  


• Here is the problem with this that I can already see:
  
• Man has a nearly inescapable tendency towards focusing on the many articles of worship rather than true object of worship: God's abiding presence over it. (worship the tabernacle/church or denomination/rituals/traditions/tulture rather than the "Abiding Presence" of the most Holy God)
  
• Add to this the complication that man does not tend to sanctify/consecrate anything in his heart; exactly opposite: kjv@Titus:1:15 "...but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure".
  


• Word (As used in Psalms):
  


Quoted resource: strongs 'H168'


H168 @ אהל 'ôhel o'-hel From H166; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance): - {covering} (dwelling) ({place}) {home} {tabernacle} tent.


• Use: A safe place in this life God hides us: kjv@Psalms:27:5 " (In the time of trouble)...in the secret (cover) of his tabernacle shall he hide (conceal) me..." (everyone wants to be made to feel safe, we go about securing that feeling whatever ways we can, few ever brave to go to that consecrated place in our hearts where a most Holy God is present to find our safety in Him)
  
• Use: A place in this life to offer joy/singing/praises: kjv@Psalms:27:6 "therefore (in time of trouble/lifting head above enemies) will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD." (joy/happiness/the pursuit of which we'd give most every effort, who would ever know that the true joy comes in the sacrifice of self, few ever brave to go to that consecrated place in our hearts where the presence of a most Holy God becomes our joy (and our cup runneth over))
  
• Use: Lead into by truth and light: kjv@Psalms:43:3 "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead (guide/transport) me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles". (Often we are lead by fear/the events of the day/the consequences of our previous actions/by what others say or by others so called truth and light, rarely do we brave to walk towards that consecrated place in our hearts where a most Holy God shines forth up ahead of us and guides us by His greater truth)
  
• Use: A place of congregational worship: kjv@Psalms:132:7 "We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool". (We is a place that we seldom choose to go when it comes to our faith and religion, we tend to worship God in our own smaller prayer closets even while we are in the assembly of thousands, our focus is drawn to within instead of without to all that God is doing else where all around us, few ever brave to open up that consecrated place in our hearts where the presence of a most Holy God is seeking for us to allow His other children in to this circle of worship)
  
• Use: Also referring to the holiest place of all the tents of the Most High: kjv@Psalms:46:4 "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God (Jerusalem/Heavenly Jerusalem kjv@Hebrews:12:22), the holy_place (sacred/eminent) of the tabernacles of the most High". (A most Holy God deserves a most sanctified and consecrated place in our hearts to dwell)
  
• (So now hopefully we have a better sense of where the psalmists where at with this concept of Tabernacle)
  


• The emphasis has to be on the sanctification/consecration given to it by the heart:
  
• It is not just a landmark, tradition/religion, temple of any other god.
  
• It is not just an individual thing, whatever one imagines or is comfortable with, whatever one wants to make out of it. It involves a nation of people God Himself has declared/shown to be "chosen".
  
• It is not that man is building this hoping that God will someday come. God has already proven Himself to them.
  

kjv@Deuteronomy:4:31 @ (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

kjv@Deuteronomy:4:32 @ For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?

kjv@Deuteronomy:4:33 @ Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?

kjv@Deuteronomy:4:34 @ Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

kjv@Deuteronomy:4:35 @ Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.

kjv@Deuteronomy:4:36 @ Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.

kjv@Deuteronomy:4:37 @ And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;

kjv@Deuteronomy:4:38 @ To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.

kjv@Deuteronomy:4:39 @ Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.



• Along with these initial understandings of Tabernacle, there is some very important pictures/symbolism for us to consider:
  
• The place in our hearts sanctified and consecrated to receive HIS abiding presence needs to be central in our lives (as it physically was in wilderness Israel).
  
• The place in our hearts sanctified and consecrated to receive HIS abiding presence needs to be partitioned off from the business of the rest of the camp (as it physically was in wilderness Israel).
  
• The place in our hearts sanctified and consecrated to receive HIS abiding presence needs blood covering it for the remission of sins (as it physically was in wilderness Israel).
  
• The place in our hearts sanctified and consecrated to receive HIS abiding presence needs the baptism of living water before entering into it's sanctuary (as it physically was in wilderness Israel).
  
• The place in our hearts sanctified and consecrated to receive HIS abiding presence needs the candle of truth to light it's way, the shew bread of the twelve tribes held and lifted by the divinely plated table of Christ, the fragrant incense of all our prayers, while service to God is rendered in this first sanctuary (as it physically was in wilderness Israel).
  
• The place in our hearts sanctified and consecrated to receive HIS abiding presence needs Christ our High Priest to make full and eternal atonement for His people, rent the veil to the second sanctuary.
  
• These earthly symbolisms are heavenly pictures/patterns of what it means to sanctify/consecrate God's abiding presence in our hearts. (follow the patterns to their spiritual conclusions and one will have sanctified and consecrated a substantial place in their hearts for God's abiding presence to dwell)
  
• (We could a whole lot further into the details of this Tabernacle symbolism - here it is the first layer of it at a quick glance).
  







3. To Abide/Dwell in His Tabernacle: 15:1
   
• Abide (Hebrew/Greek):
  

Quoted resource: strongs 'H1481'

H1481 @ גּוּר gûr goor A primitive root; properly to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other {purpose}) that {is} sojourn (as a guest); also to {shrink} fear (as in a strange place); also to gather for hostility (as afraid): - {abide} {assemble} be {afraid} {dwell} {fear} gather ({together}) {inhabitant} {remain} {sojourn} stand in {awe} (be) {stranger} X surely.


• Consider now the many times Jesus spoke about abiding:
  

kjv@John:12:46 @ I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.


kjv@John:14:16 @ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;


kjv@John:15:4 @ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.


kjv@John:15:5 @ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.


kjv@John:15:6 @ If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.


kjv@John:15:7 @ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.


kjv@John:15:10 @ If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.


• Where is it the psalmist is wanting to abide? (Tabernacle) Who is it Jesus states we are supposed to abide in? (Jesus) Could it be that the two are one in the same?
  
• The writer of kjv@Hebrews:9-10 not only believes that everything in that OT Tabernacle not only is a pattern but goes on to explain how so.
  
• 1st that the OT model was never meant to be the final abiding place (if it had been then in it there would be no more remembrance/consciousness of sin):
  

kjv@Hebrews:9:8 @ The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

kjv@Hebrews:9:9 @ Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

kjv@Hebrews:9:10 @ Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

• 2nd that Christ by His death and resurrection (entering into the true heavenly Holy of Holies) is the literal fulfillment of everything that the OT Tabernacle was meant to convey:
  

kjv@Hebrews:9:11 @ But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

kjv@Hebrews:9:12 @ Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

kjv@Hebrews:9:13 @ For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

kjv@Hebrews:9:14 @ How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

kjv@Hebrews:9:15 @ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

• 3rd that in Christ by His once and for all act of atonement there is no longer this remembrance/consciousness of sin and therefore we too can enter this very Holy of Holies
  

kjv@Hebrews:10:19 @ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

kjv@Hebrews:10:20 @ By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

kjv@Hebrews:10:21 @ And having an high priest over the house of God;

kjv@Hebrews:10:22 @ Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.


kjv@Hebrews:10:1 @ For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

kjv@Hebrews:10:2 @ For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

kjv@Hebrews:10:3 @ But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

kjv@Hebrews:10:4 @ For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

kjv@Hebrews:10:5 @ Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

kjv@Hebrews:10:6 @ In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

kjv@Hebrews:10:7 @ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

kjv@Hebrews:10:8 @ Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

kjv@Hebrews:10:9 @ Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

kjv@Hebrews:10:10 @ By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

kjv@Hebrews:10:11 @ And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

kjv@Hebrews:10:12 @ But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

kjv@Hebrews:10:13 @ From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

kjv@Hebrews:10:14 @ For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.



• Three distinct parts of the OT Tabernacle that the priests attended to (Outer court/1st Sanctuary/2nd Sanctuary (Holy of Holies))
  
• 1. Outer court
  
• (curtain wall surrounding and court within including the brazen alter for burnt offerings)
  
• (The offerings were prepared on a series of tables surrounding the alter, the blood of the offerings were caught in a basin below each table to be sprinkled 7 times (completeness) on the alter and other objects of tabernacle worship)
  
• This pattern is a picture of blood being the means for the remission of sins, soon to be Jesus' blood offered for our sins. (OT animals = temporarily for the flesh, NT Christ = eternally for the soul)
  
• (also on the way from the alter to the tent entrance was a basin of water for washing blood from the priests hands) (a picture of baptism) (no service to be preformed inside without it)
  
• Christ becomes our sin offering first and foremost, the blood of Christ being our complete remission for sins once for all, His blood also purifying sanctifying consecrating all other objects of service and worship.
  
• In our abiding worship this outer court of the tabernacle is a picture of the first place that we need to set aside/consecrate in our hearts. Without this being established in our hearts first nothing else we do can be done that is right.
  


• 2. Sanctuary (First Tabernacle):
  
• 3 items contained here intended for the daily and weekly service of the priest to God. (Candle stand = divine truth/revelation, the gold plated table = humanity/divinity of Christ that holds the 12 loafs of she bread = 12 tribes of Israel fully consecrated, the incense holder = prayers lifted to God)
  
• So if you follow the pattern, we have Christ having become the remission of sins moving into the daily service of God with hands washed now reveling divine truth and by means of His essential coequal humanity/divinity lifting spiritual Israel up into consecration, becoming intercessor for our prayers.
  
• In our abiding worship this first tabernacle/sanctuary is a picture of the place in our hearts in addition to the outer court we need to set aside/consecrate in our hearts.
  
• (Remember that this is a daily place that the servants of God need to attend to in order to serve) (service is dependent on revealed divine truth, consecration on Christ's table, prayer to our great intercessor)
  


• 3. The Holiest of All (Holy of Holies/Second Tabernacle/Behind the Veil):
  
• In this section of the tabernacle on the high priest for that year was able to enter, only once a year on the Great Day of Atonement. He could only entered having been sprinkled in offering's blood of remission, first for the atonement of his own personal sins, then for the atonement of the other priests' sins, then for the atonement of the nation's sins as a whole.
  
• In this Holy of Holies there is a golden censor (everything near God's presence is purified like fine gold), the Ark of the Covenant (Covenant meaning testament or promise) which included Aaron's budded rod (symbol of Christ's promised resurrection), a golden jar of manna (symbol of God's promised miraculous heavenly provision of Christ as the true "Bread of Life"), and the Tables of the Commandments (symbol of Christ's promised fulfillment of the commandments on our behalf).
  
• Then on top covering these items inside the Ark (if that wasn't enough symbolism of the promised Christ) we have the Mercy Seat (symbol of all these promised things being done as the execution of HIS wonderous mercy)
  
• This is a picture of Christ Jesus' greatest accomplishment having moved from the east gate through the outer court into the first sanctuary through the veil into the second, having become our eternal High Priest, having secured the permanent eternal atonement of His many chosen peoples, forever after to abide with the Father at the right hand of the very Throne, having made a way for His people to boldly drawn near abiding in His ever abiding presence (the real (full scale) Tabernacle)
  
• It is all a picture of God's mercy in every aspect, Christ entering into His rightful position in order to abide eternally among the redeemed son's of Adam, fulfilling all the promises made from even before the days of creation.
  
• It is a picture of the place in our hearts we need to set apart/consecrate for His indwelling into us and our abiding presence where He now is. It's a most glorious picture this Tabernacle.
  







4. "He that doeth these things": (11 Volumes of Christ's Influence)
   
• Anyone religious or not could go through a list of things to do and not do and suppose themselves to be worthy of abiding in God's Tabernacle.
  
• Our task today is to show how different this list becomes under the presence and influence of Jesus Christ
  
• Let's review this 15: again:
  
• + He that walketh uprightly (entire/complete/perfect/without blemish/undefiled/sincerely) dict:strongs H8549 15:2
  
• How does one become entire/complete/without blemish before God?
  

strkjv@2Samuel:22:33 @ God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect H8549.


strkjv@Psalms:18:32 @ It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect H8549.


• By virtue of Christ's being, Christ's doing, Christ's accomplishing, Christ glorification by the Father, Christ becomes this "uprightness" to me judicially then His influence effects me more and more to become this myself.
  

kjv@Hebrews:10:14 @ For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.


• If it is not this Christ driven uprightness then it is a self influenced uprightness that can be self obtained with/without any influence from Christ.
  


• + (He that) worketh (systematically/habitually do/make) righteousness (right morally/legally, just) dict:strongs H6664 15:2
  
• Righteousness of this type is closely associated with our ability to make correct and sound judgments (systematically/habitually).
  
• Righteousness of this type is closely associated with our ability to employ just balances (scales), just weights (stone/plummet), a just ephah (measure), and a just hin (liquid measure) kjv@Leviticus:19:36 not only as individuals but as groups/congregations/communities/nations (which only abiding in Jesus can truly provide).
  
• Recall Jesus saying: kjv@John:15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing"?
  
• There is a very close relationship between being found abiding in Jesus and he that worketh righteousness because in order to work righteousness one must at the same time walk complete (which Jesus alone can provide).
  
• There are other human approximations of this work of righteousness (human not spiritual). Even as Christians we often confuse the two and go about working human righteousness, for which we often fall short. (This is a much different righteousness influenced into by abiding in Christ)
  


• + (He that) speaketh (arrange words) the truth (stability/certainty/trustworthiness/assured) dict:strongs H571 in his heart 15:2
  
• There is the truth outside of ourselves that is God. There is the truth inside influenced upon us - how true we actually hold ourselves in relation to God
  

strkjv@Psalms:25:5 @ Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.


• Each of us say that lead me/teach me/on thee do I wait all the day is our present truth; how true is this really?
  

kjv@1Samuel:12:24 @ Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.


• Each of us say that we fear/serve in truth with all of our hearts; how much truth is there to that? None of us really know where we actually are in this let alone how to make any further improvement unless there be one thing (that before Christ we hadn't direct access to): the presence and person of Jesus Christ. (You see how different this truth business becomes?)
  
• Truth is a divinely taught thing. We shouldn't just assume that we are currently in full possession of it. Our heart should not reverberate the speeches of certainties we think ourselves already to know, it should reverberate with the echoes of His mighty and influential presence.
  

kjv@John:14:6 @ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.



• - He that backbiteth (walk alongside as talebearer/slanderer) not with his tongue 15:3
  
• There are many sharp words and slanders given this concept of the presence/influence of Jesus Christ being the prerequisite requirement to abiding in God's Tabernacle. (that there are other ways, that one can get there on their own, that we all end up there all the same)
  
• Sharp words are one thing. To claim to be walking alongside Jesus and still hold to these sharp words is quite another thing.
  
• Jesus says one thing, we nod and say amen, recite a benediction and final hymn, exit by greeting the pastor, go home to Sunday diner to backbite the words of Jesus in neighborly conversation saying "ah but those are just the words of the pastor" "everyone is entitled to their own opinion", "I believe in Jesus personally but, I don't believe Jesus is the only way worship God", that "God is not going to judge sinners", that "that is not really Jesus speaking in the bible, it's the words of well intended men" etc...
  
• If Jesus had any consequential presence or influence in these Christian's lives, they would know their master's voice, they would experience His daily leading walking alongside of Him.
  
• (Note: too often we think of it that Jesus is walking alongside us, that we are leading Him to do and say the things we want from Him, that He is there at our beck and call. There are many a immature and childish soul that will soon after backbite Him when they don't get exactly what it is that they want and learn that the truth of the matter is exactly opposite).
  


• - nor (He that) doeth evil (natural/moral bad) to his neighbour (associate - (close?)) 15:3
  
• The influence of Christ's love is what separates His true followers from so many other religions. (It's not the influence of nothingness of tranquility or goodness or morality or caste or religion or conquering the infidels, it is the immense sacrificial and abounding love shown by the Son of God Himself, the person of Christ) (if that doesn't have an effect on a man I do now know what else can)
  
• Many will attempt to achieve this (not doing evil to his neighbor) by substituting Christ's presence/influence with the Law, or by secular ethics, or by religious isolationism, etc.. And yet evil in this world continues and strengthens. Perhaps a greater evil is done to a neighbor by acting as if law/ethics/rationalism/these self interested things are an adequate substitute for the presence/influence of Christ.
  
• Notice in kjv@3John:1:11 that there is a sudden turn of logic: kjv@3John:1:11 "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God". Evil is seen here as having not seen God.
  

kjv@John:1:18 @ No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.


• This teaching of course upset the ultra religious of Jesus' day and what was their response? They sought to do natural/moral evil to Him (thinking that they wee doing service to God).
  


• - nor (He that) taketh_up (lift) a reproach (contumely (insolent/insulting language or treatment), disgrace, the pudenda (woman's genitals)) against his neighbour (near kindred) 15:4
  
• Doesn't it seem like this one item would be fairly easy for any of us to accomplish without the influence of Christ working within us?
  
• Let me ask how it is then that Christ came to suffer the reproaches of all man (including the religious)? kjv@Romans:15:3 "For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me". He suffers our reproaches of Him continuing still. (Is Christ not our "near kindred")
  
• Let me ask how is it them that the Apostles of Christ came to suffer the reproaches of all men (including the religious (and their own converts))? kjv@1Timothy:4:10 "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe". (Are the apostles not our "near kindred")
  
• How is it that likes of Wycliffe, Huss, Tyndale, Luther, Bunyan, Calvin, Edwards, Wesley, Spurgeon, Moody, Bonhoefer, Graham, and many countless others come to suffer the reproaches of all men (including the religious (and their own denominations))?
  
• Just look how easy it is to be on the wrong side of these issues and yet be standing in the overwhelming majority. Should this ease give us any certain comfort?
  
• The idea here is of family (near kindred), what we accuse and allege and criticize about each other. It is closely connected to scorn:
  

kjv@Proverbs:22:10 @ Cast out the scorner, and contention (contest/quarrel/brawling) shall go out; yea, strife (judgment) and reproach shall cease.


• Certainly there are thing that we can do deserving of reproach. kjv@1Timothy:3:7 "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil".
  
• This idea of scorner however is pointing to the overall makeup of an accuser and the language/treatment willingly employed to put himself/herself above the targeted individual (near kindred).
  
• This overall makeup cannot be so however, if the true presence and influence of Christ Jesus is firmly in it's place. The person of our Lord will not allow for it in any of it's many varieties.
  


• + (He that) In whose eyes a vile person (spurn/loathsome/reprobate) is contemned (to disesteem/despise/disdain) 15:4
  
• This concept is very closely related to the previous: "reproach of a neighbor" in that it has to do we a judgment we often take upon ourselves to make.
  

kjv@Isaiah:32:6 @ For the vile person will speak villany (foolishness/crime), and his heart will work iniquity (vanity), to practise hypocrisy (filth), and to utter error (mistake/injury) against the LORD, to make empty (pour out) the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.


• Many Christians today are uncomfortable with this notion of disesteeming/despising/disdaining anybody.
  
• Jesus you know was heard saying: kjv@Matthew:12:34 "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh". Was Jesus being a vile/judgmental person?
  
• Let's use Isaiah's criteria to judge whether Jesus has violated spiritual law here: 1. Is He speaking villany (foolishness/crime)? 2. In His heart is He working iniquity (vanity)? 3. Is He practicing hypocrisy (filth)? Uttering error (mistake/injury) against the LORD? Making empty the soul hungry/thirsty? Or is the generation of vipers doing these things and He just pointing it out for their own good?
  
• See the problematic issue surrounding judgment revolves around what is God's rightful judgment to make and what is our own. In the one case it is God's judgment, doesn't matter what we think about it, it is righteous on the basis of God HIMSELF being righteous (it is not unrighteous for us to simply repeat what HE has declared and apply it equally to ourselves as we do with others). In the other case it is not declared by God to be His judgment, it is our own assessment of what we think He would be saying, therefore carries no other righteousness than our own and is likely hypocritical of us if not held to personal as expected of others.
  
• Yes is a very tricky topic: kjv@Romans:2:1 "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things".
  

kjv@Romans:2:3 @ And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

kjv@Romans:2:4 @ Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

• Yet in so many places in scripture we are told to separate ourselves from such a person, to not associate with them, to cast them out of our fellowship if not repented of, to give them over to the devil for a time if need be, to not call wrong doing right, to judge wisely, to contend for the faith from certain men who've crept in unawares etc.. etc..
  

kjv@Matthew:7:2 @ For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

• We would be wise to use this same criteria set forth in kjv@Isaiah:32:6 to judge ourselves of which of these opposing judgments we might be.
  
• You can see now how deep the effectual influence of Christ must be in order for us to get this right. Perhaps the vilest person of all is the religious person how does not see this need/concept at all.
  


• + (He that) honoureth (make weighty) them that fear the LORD (Jehovah) 15:4
  
• Without all honor and glory given to Christ first and foremost exclusively, we see that men give much honor and glory both to themselves and their pillars of institution. Honor is unduly given to culture, to tradition, to birthright or caste, to education, to state, to ambition, to accomplishment, to position, to authority, to victim hood and intersectionality. Very little mention given to the true reverence experienced in the abiding presence and influence of our Lord Jesus in the spacious confines of His Tabernacle.
  
• Typically the honor that we do give to our brethren in Christ is given to those more comely than ourselves; which is opposite of how it should be in Christ: kjv@1Corinthians:12:24 "For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked"
  

kjv@1Corinthians:12:23 @ And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.


• This type of honor is not natural to us coming from the world which we have been drawn out of. It requires the direct presence and influence of Christ.
  
• The true fear of the Lord is so rare and precious to see in a person, it should never be clouded by the mere humanness we see in each other. Honor and preference should always be extended by us no matter what humanness we think ourselves to see.
  
• In other words honor (weight) is given to those others seen to have this like precious faith, simply because in them the abiding presence and influence of our Lord is being grown. (who is to judge a servant but the servants' master?)
  


• + (He that) sweareth (7 one's self (swear completeness)) to his own hurt (breaking in pieces/make good for nothing), and changeth (barter to dispose of) not 15:4
  
• Jesus swore Himself to His own hurt. Peter in response to the hurt caused upon Jesus swore himself to his own hurt. Paul and the other Apostles swore themselves as well. As far as we are aware everyone of these Apostles eventually received the harm that they swore themselves to as have many others. (in response to Jesus - His abiding presence/influence)
  
• There are many of us today claiming the same oath. Here might be the difference however, these men and women whom we have long looked up to willingly put themselves (in response to the Lord) in a place likely to receive this harm, most of us welcome harm only if it walks up to us where we are, few actively put themselves in the places that harm most likely to be.
  
• If a person is pledging themself to the unlikely occasion is that person rather pledging themself to little or nothing at all?
  
• You see the importance of Christ's presence and influence being front and center in a person's heart before the true fulfillment of such an oath be humanly possible at all.
  
• The oath is not to suffer harm actually, it is to willingly go where it might be dangerous to serve the Lord in response to serving that HE has ministered unto us, to not back off even if were to mean our own breaking into pieces.
  


• - He that putteth not out his money (silver) to usury (interest on a debt) 15:5
  
• Again there is the simple fulfillment of this that any man of any faith or religion could accomplish, then there is that which that can only be accomplished by a man or women directly influenced by Christ.
  
• The idea here is of us doing something beneficial for someone else that they would be indebted to you for with the expectation of receiving back something additional from them in return, that it is done seeing an advantage to yourself.
  
• One example of this spiritually might be: Prosperity message of planting seed $1k in this ministry and $10k - $100k of benefits will return to you.
  
• One example of this spiritually might be: How we think $5 of charity buys us the right to evangelize a homeless person for as much time as it takes to "win" his soul to Christ. To bail our brother-in-law out of a debt fully expecting him pay us back and quite cheating on our sister.
  
• One example of this spiritually might be: The way we go about choosing a church to subscribe to like consumers. (I will attend and tithe weekly if you babysit my kids, put on a good modern show, provide adult teaching classes and fellowship groups, conduct marriage service and reception, visit me in hospital, do my evangelism/missionary work for me, etc... (shopping list of personal advantages that far exceed the investment that I have made))
  
• One example of this spiritually might be: How we concoct the notion that the few good spiritual works that we do somehow will be rewarded with a bigger more lavish mansion when we arrive up in heaven.
  
• By Christ's influence we do what we do for no other reason than it is what the influence of Christ has told us is the right thing to do. Of course we Christians often corrupt the pure simplicity of that concept up but, no other religious man can be influenced to such a possibly pure extent.
  


• - nor (He that) taketh reward (donation/bribe) against the innocent (blameless/clean/clear) 15:5
  
• Another item that at first seems pretty simple to follow until you really think it through.
  
• People largely seek peace (the path of least resistance), peace often is the reward of compromise, compromise often works directly against the innocent. Action favoring the innocent stalls out, justice is delayed or even omitted.
  
• People vote for policies/amendments/candidates based on the many rewards/entitlements that they feel themselves deserving with little or no consideration of how it might effect the innocent/truly needy.
  
• Nations sit on their moral hands while children are being sold into slavery, young boys are being trained and enlisted, sex acts are being performed upon defenseless women, dissidents are mysteriously disappearing in the night, villages are set on fire, relief supplies are being confiscated and sold off etc...
  
• Our only answer to this is merely a question mark "what can anyone do?". I can tell you that if anything is to be done it is going to require the heavy influence of Christ in order to mobilize ourselves into action.
  
• Do we really think that they that will abide in the Tabernacle of God will be took themselves the bribe of relative peace and tranquility while innocent people suffered because of it?
  


• There we have at minimum "11 Volumes of Christ's Influence" in our set pointed toward the eventual conclusion 15:5 "He that doeth these things" shall never be moved (from the abiding/dwelling in the Lord's tabernacle 15:1)
  
• ? How does one "doeth" these 11 things without having first become these things?
  
• ? How does one become these things without first having the presence and influence of Christ abiding/dwelling within them?
  
• It can't actually be done without Christ can it?
  







5. Never Be Moved: 15:5
   
• So to summarize - Who shall abide? (Christ and Christ followers (those who abide in Christ) because of Christ fulfillment) (Even into the Holy of Holies)
  
• Those who have sanctified and consecrated a central place in their hearts to receive HIS abiding presence.
  
• Those who have sanctified and consecrated a place in their hearts partitioned off from the busyness of the rest of the camp to receive HIS abiding presence.
  
• Those who have sanctified and consecrated a place in their hearts sprinkled with His blood for the remission of sins to receive HIS abiding presence.
  
• Those who have sanctified and consecrated a place in their hearts baptized of living water to receive HIS abiding presence.
  
• Those who have sanctified and consecrated a place in their hearts lit by the light of His truth, lifted by Christ into the consecration of spiritual Israel, burning the incense of prayer day and night, all to receive HIS abiding presence.
  
• Those who have sanctified and consecrated a place in their hearts in whom Christ our High Priest has made full and eternal atonement, rent the veil to the second sanctuary, given access even to the Holy of Holies to receive HIS abiding presence.
  
• In Christ these people abide as Christ abides in them. Together they abide in "Thy Tabernacle". As it should be forever more!
  
• Where then do these 11 Psalm:15 attributes come in?
  


• Who shall never be moved? (Those in whom Christ's abiding presence and influence has altered their souls spiritually enough to consistently exhibit these 11 predominate characteristics)
  

kjv@Psalms:15:2 @ He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

kjv@Psalms:15:3 @ He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

kjv@Psalms:15:4 @ In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

kjv@Psalms:15:5 @ He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

• These attributes are not as easy for us to be as they first appear.
  
• There is what an Christ altered man can can do/be, there is what a any other man can approximate in the flesh superficially without Christ's altering.
  
• ? Where am I currently at in all of this?
  


• Is there anyone of us that truly desires to abide where the person of Christ abides in God's Holy Tabernacle?
  
• Is there anyone of us that truly desires to boldly enter even into the Holy of Holies into His most intimate presence and influence?
  
• Remember then the pattern of Christ symbolized in this Tabernacle blueprint. It explains not only who Christ is and what He obtained for us but also who we are and how best to worship Him.
  
• God went to great lengths to paint many full sized pictures of what we most needed to understand and in a language most capable for us who He has set apart to understand them in. We should take the time to go through His gallery to get the sense and understand them.
  


• We'll have plenty of opportunity in future Psalms to describe also what it means to dwell in His Holy Hill.
  
• We'll also have other opportunities to revisit this concept of Tabernacle.
  
• I would highly recommend for today's purposes that you take the time to read kjv@Hebrews:9-10 to hear what else that author believed this Tabernacle picture to be saying.
  



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