Participants:
Series Code: IIWSS
Program Code: IIWSS024001S
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00:11 ♪♪♪ 00:15 >>Eric Flickinger: Welcome to "Sabbath School," 00:17 brought to you by It Is Written. 00:19 We're delighted that you could join us today. 00:21 We're beginning a brand new journey, 00:24 a 13-week journey, 00:26 delving deep into the book of Psalms, 00:29 one of the most beloved 00:31 and well-quoted books in the Bible. 00:33 We are in for an incredible journey. 00:36 As we begin, let's start with prayer. 00:38 Father, we want to thank You for giving us an opportunity 00:41 to delve into the book of Psalms. 00:43 We ask now that, as we begin this journey, 00:45 You would help us to understand the psalms better 00:49 and more deeply than we ever have before 00:51 and, in doing that, may we also understand Jesus 00:55 and the plan of salvation. 00:56 We thank You in Jesus's name, amen. 01:00 Well, this quarter, we are delighted to have 01:02 the author of this quarter's "Sabbath School" Bible study 01:05 with us, Dr. Dragoslava Santrac. 01:08 She is the managing editor 01:09 of the encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. 01:12 Slava, thank you so much for joining us. 01:15 >>Dragoslava Santrac: Thank you very much for inviting me 01:17 and I'm delighted to be here. 01:19 >>Eric: So this is an exciting quarter, 01:21 and you've been studying the psalms, 01:24 you've been writing about the psalms, 01:25 you've been sharing some of the blessings of the psalms 01:28 for quite some time. 01:29 Why are the psalms so-- 01:32 why are you so passionate about them? 01:33 What makes them so special? 01:35 >>Dragoslava: Yes, well, as you mentioned, the psalms are 01:38 one of the most-quoted books of the Old Testament, 01:42 maybe even of the Bible, 01:43 and the most-beloved book of the Bible for many people. 01:48 I grew up with the image of Jesus 01:52 as the good shepherd in my room 01:54 and I believe Psalm 23 was the first psalm I memorized, 01:58 first biblical text I memorized as a child. 02:02 So the psalms have always been very close to my heart. 02:07 And as I was growing up, my interest in the book grew 02:12 and I did my doctoral dissertation 02:15 on the book of Psalms. 02:16 I studied the correlation 02:18 between the piety of the psalmist 02:21 and the sanctuary. 02:22 How the sanctuary and worship and prayer 02:25 builds and shapes our piety. 02:28 And I never left the book of Psalms. 02:30 I always wanted to go to something else 02:33 but the psalms just keep drawing me back and back. 02:36 >>Eric: So this has really been 02:37 a lifelong journey for you through the psalms, 02:41 and now you have an opportunity to share those experiences 02:44 with, well, with millions around the world. 02:48 How did this quarter's adult Bible study guide, 02:51 how did it come into being? 02:53 When were you contacted? 02:55 How did that all happen? 02:56 >>Dragoslava: Yes, well, prior to writing-- 02:59 prior to being invited to contribute 03:03 to this adult Bible study guide, 03:07 I was invited to contribute 03:10 to the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, 03:13 the new series, and was asked to write 03:17 a commentary for Psalms 76 to 150. 03:21 And I believe in that process somebody must have liked 03:27 what I wrote and heard about my passion, 03:31 and I received a call 03:32 to contribute to this "Sabbath School" guide. 03:37 It was in late 2018, and it took me about 2 years, 03:42 a little bit under 2 years, 03:43 to pray and study and put together 03:47 this study guide. 03:49 >>Eric: And so here we are now, something that started in 2018, 03:53 we're now in 2020-- 03:55 well, it will be 2024 that we're looking at this. 04:00 And it's gonna be an incredible journey, 04:02 so give us a little overview 04:04 of some of the things that we can expect to find 04:06 as we're going through this quarter's lesson. 04:09 >>Dragoslava: Yeah, so this quarter's study 04:11 attempts to introduce the world of the psalms 04:16 to the modern readers. 04:18 Many people perhaps think, 04:20 "Do we really need to study the psalms? 04:23 "We know that they are prayers and songs. 04:25 "Aren't they straightforward enough? 04:28 Do we really need to study and devote 13 weeks?" 04:34 The book of Psalms is not like, for example, 04:36 the book of Daniel. 04:38 However, the book of Psalms, like the rest of the Bible, 04:42 was written in its specific historical, 04:45 theological, and literary context, 04:48 and as such, we need to study in order to properly understand 04:53 its words, its images, its messages. 04:57 And also let us not forget that even though the psalms 05:01 are widely known as people's prayers to God, 05:05 the psalms are the Word of God, 05:08 which means that they are God's revelation to humanity. 05:12 And by studying the psalms, we want to learn and discover 05:17 with the Holy Spirit everything that God did, 05:21 does, and will do in Jesus Christ. 05:24 >>Eric: So that gives us an idea of where we're going. 05:27 As we think of some of the main objectives for this quarter, 05:30 would you add anything to what you've already shared? 05:34 What are we hoping to accomplish? 05:37 You've already touched on some of that, 05:39 but any other big things that we wanna try to accomplish 05:41 during this quarter's time? 05:43 >>Dragoslava: Yes, so very early in our quarterly, 05:46 we will study about the prayer usages of the psalms. 05:52 That aspect of the psalms 05:54 seems to have been neglected over the time, 05:59 and many believers don't appreciate 06:02 and don't even know maybe 06:04 about the value psalms have as prayers. 06:07 But beyond that, 06:09 we will be exploring the world of the psalmists. 06:13 How they viewed God, how God revealed Himself to them, 06:18 how did the psalmists and the people they represent 06:21 react to God's presence in their life 06:26 with praise, thanksgiving, 06:27 but also what did they do when hard times hit, 06:32 when God seemed to be absent? 06:34 So how is this relationship between God and His people 06:39 evolving and developing 06:41 in good and bad times in the psalms? 06:44 And I think this is something that we can relate to very much 06:49 because, of course, the entire Bible is like that 06:52 but especially the psalms. 06:54 They have that emphasis 06:56 on a living relationship with God. 06:59 You cannot read the psalms and not want to really meet 07:03 the God to whom you cry, "My God, my God." 07:07 How do we read these words and not desire to meet Him 07:12 and to love Him and please Him? 07:15 >>Eric: Slava, you mentioned the worldview of the psalmist 07:18 and--compared to our worldview. 07:20 How would you say 07:22 those two worldviews are different, 07:24 and how do the psalms 07:26 kind of bridge those two different worldviews 07:28 to give us some hope today? 07:31 I know we're gonna delve into that more deeply coming up, 07:33 but just briefly how would that-- 07:36 what does that look like? 07:37 >>Dragoslava: Yes, this is actually a very good question. 07:40 Today it's--the question of a worldview 07:44 is something that philosophers, social scientists, 07:49 scientists of religions and topologies 07:51 are trying to understand from cultural point of view. 07:55 But when we look at the psalms, the worldview is theocentric. 08:01 It means that everything in life revolves about-- 08:05 around the questions involving God. 08:09 There is no aspect of life in the psalmists' world 08:13 that's not brought to God 08:15 and is not under the scrutiny of God and His attention. 08:21 Unlike in modern times 08:23 where we kind of tend to separate religious 08:28 or spiritual life and put it in one box 08:31 and then I have my professional life, 08:35 I have maybe my family life, my friends. 08:38 So spirituality, religion, is one aspect of. 08:41 There is one day of the week when perhaps we go to church, 08:46 our viewers, I hope so, 08:48 and there is a time during the day 08:51 when some people will set aside time to pray and read the Bible. 08:54 But these are more like different compartments. 08:58 The psalmists' worldview is that all that breathe, 09:03 every breath that I take, 09:05 is rooted in the knowledge of God, 09:09 in the awareness of God in their life. 09:11 And not just individuals but the community as well. 09:15 Everything revolved around worship and around God. 09:19 >>Eric: So this book is different 09:21 from other books in the Bible. 09:24 Certainly there are parallels, there are likenesses, 09:28 but this book is different. 09:30 What are some ways that it is--that it separates itself 09:33 from other books in the Bible? 09:36 >>Dragoslava: Yes, well, some people say 09:40 and I've read that, 09:41 unlike the rest of the Bible where God speak to us, 09:46 in the psalms God speaks with us, 09:50 meaning the psalms give us words to speak to God 09:56 but it also shares the words that God speaks to us. 10:00 And that's why I believe many people can truly enjoy 10:05 and find peace and rest and consolation in the psalms 10:09 because while you are reading the psalms, 10:11 you can feel that your words are coming right. 10:16 "Yes, that's exactly how I feel. 10:18 That's exactly what I want to say." 10:21 But at the same time, as you read, 10:23 as if the pages are--the words are bouncing back to you 10:28 and you hear God answering your pleas, 10:31 answering your prayer. 10:34 >>Eric: So God is speaking with us in the psalms, 10:37 kind of drawing us into a conversation, 10:41 a relationship, something very much shared, 10:45 and we're gonna be experiencing that 10:47 over the course of the next 13 weeks 10:48 as we look at that. 10:51 Now, Slava, in addition 10:52 to the adult "Sabbath School" Bible study guide 10:54 that we're going through week by week and day by day, 10:58 there is also a companion book 11:00 that goes along with this quarter's lesson. 11:03 Share with me a little bit about that companion book: 11:07 what's contained in it, why would somebody want to get 11:11 that companion book in addition to this. 11:14 What benefits are there in the companion book? 11:16 >>Dragoslava: Yes, companion book 11:18 is a wonderful addition 11:21 to the "Sabbath School" quarterly 11:24 or "Sabbath School" guide. 11:25 For the psalms, it was written by Dr. Martin Klingbeil, 11:29 an expert in the Old Testament, and as I--as far as I've heard, 11:33 a wonderful teacher of Old Testament. 11:36 And it's a wonderful book because it provides 11:40 a more in-depth study 11:42 of what we are studying 11:43 in the "Sabbath School" quarterly. 11:45 Of course, those of you who ever studied the quarterly, 11:49 you know that each day has just a tiny paragraph, 11:53 and I know when I was writing, 11:55 I always struggled to put everything I wanted to say 11:58 in that little paragraph with few questions. 12:02 But with the companion book, 12:04 all those thoughts are better explained. 12:08 Some examples are provided, 12:10 and I think people will benefit greatly 12:13 by studying the study guide and the companion book together. 12:18 >>Eric: So the study guide is wonderful. 12:21 The companion book is phenomenal. 12:23 And now we have the benefit 12:25 of having you here to share more. 12:27 As you mentioned, you could only fit so much 12:29 in the little paragraphs, 12:30 or three, on each of those days. 12:32 But now, during our time together in "Sabbath School," 12:36 you're going to be able to elaborate on more 12:38 and fit more into, 12:40 so think of it as supplemental pages in the quarterly 12:44 that we're gonna be able to enjoy 12:46 as we study together 12:48 over the course of the next 13 weeks. 12:51 And you are going to be excited 12:52 as you continue the study with us as well 12:56 because, week by week, 12:58 we're going to be delving into the psalms. 13:00 Each week, we'll pull that together, 13:03 we'll pull it apart, we're going to study more deeply, 13:06 and we're going to add much more depth 13:09 to the study of the book of Psalms. 13:11 So we're going to come back in just a moment 13:14 after this short break, 13:15 and we're going to continue looking at week number 1 13:19 as we take our journey through the book of Psalms. 13:21 We'll be right back. 13:23 ♪♪♪ 13:26 >>John Bradshaw: Unfortunately, athletes do it all the time. 13:29 Runners, swimmers, wrestlers, and more, 13:32 in their quest to be the best, 13:35 resort to taking performance-enhancing drugs. 13:38 They do it because, without the drugs, 13:40 they wouldn't be good enough to win. 13:42 Feeling they need extra help, they cross a line, 13:45 often leading to disgrace. 13:48 Christians do something similar. 13:49 What happens when, in your Christian experience, 13:53 you're not good enough? 13:55 Join me for "Good Enough" 13:58 and discover the secrets to spiritual success. 14:02 You don't have to fail as a believer, 14:05 and you don't have to resort to pretense or cheap gimmicks 14:08 in your walk with Christ. 14:10 Learn how you can be all you want to be 14:13 and all God wants you to be. 14:15 Discover where the source of power is for believers 14:18 and how you can unleash that power in your life. 14:21 "Good Enough," brought to you by It Is Written TV. 14:26 ♪♪♪ 14:31 >>Eric: Welcome back to "Sabbath School" 14:32 brought to you by It Is Written. 14:34 We are continuing our look here at the book of Psalms, 14:37 the first of 13 studies that we're going to be doing. 14:40 And Slava, you mentioned a few things 14:42 that we can dig more deeply into. 14:44 We, of course, have the companion book, 14:45 there's the study guide, 14:46 there's this that we're talking about right now. 14:48 But there's also a commentary. 14:50 Tell us a little bit about that commentary. 14:52 >>Dragoslava: Yes, I wholeheartedly recommend 14:54 that commentary to you and to our viewers. 14:58 That's the new series 15:00 of "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary." 15:04 Volume 6 was released recently, 15:08 and it's on the wisdom literature 15:11 and the poetic literature of the Bible. 15:15 And the segment on the psalms contains, 15:18 verse by verse, detailed explanations 15:21 of the book of Psalms with the literary analysis, 15:25 with historical cultural analysis. 15:28 It's an Adventist resource that I wholeheartedly recommend. 15:32 >>Eric: And how would somebody find that? 15:34 How could they come across it? 15:36 What's the best way? 15:37 >>Dragoslava: Yes, I--the commentary 15:39 was published by Pacific Press, and I believe it's 15:42 in all Adventist bookstores by now. 15:45 >>Eric: All right, very good. 15:47 Now, the book of Psalms, as we're going into it now, 15:51 kind of an introduction as it were. 15:53 It's not a typical book that has an introduction 15:56 and a body and a conclusion. 15:58 It's a different type of book. 16:01 What type of book is it and why is that significant? 16:05 >>Dragoslava: Yes, well, that can represent 16:07 a challenge to many readers 16:09 because we love to have a book with introduction, 16:12 that there is a storyline, a progression. 16:15 And then we can't wait to see what's going to happen 16:17 to the protagonist of the story. 16:20 We reach the conclusion. 16:21 The book of Psalms, obviously, even though it's called a book, 16:25 is not a typical book in that sense. 16:27 And for the greatest period of time, 16:31 people viewed the book of Psalms 16:33 as a haphazard collection of poems and prayers. 16:38 However, more lately, more and more biblical scholars 16:42 and preachers and students 16:44 have realized that there is some model 16:48 or that there is some logic 16:50 in how the psalms are put together. 16:53 So it is not by chance we would like to think now 16:57 that Psalm 1 is the first psalm 17:00 and that Psalm 150 is the last one 17:04 and in between the psalms that come, 17:07 that the book of Psalms has been collected 17:11 and the psalms have been arranged in such a way 17:14 as to illustrate a spiritual journey 17:18 that is common to most of God's children. 17:22 We notice that in the first half of the book of Psalms 17:26 mostly laments and psalms describing trouble 17:31 and seeking God and going through tough times, 17:35 they dominate the first part of the book. 17:38 But then we have some kind of bridge 17:41 that leads us to, for example, Psalm 73. 17:45 It's, like, in the middle of the book. 17:47 Maybe if I can just briefly say where the psalmist says: 17:51 "I was wondering how is it that the evil prosper 17:55 "and that the good people suffer. 17:59 Am I in vain, keeping my heart and my hands clean?" 18:04 That's in the middle of the book of Psalms 18:07 and then he comes, enters the sanctuary, 18:09 and gets a revelation saying, 18:12 "Now I see that the Lord is in control 18:15 and that there is a judgment coming." 18:17 And it looks like that, from that point on, 18:20 we have more psalms on God's sanctuary, 18:24 on God's judgment. 18:26 We have the royal psalms, Psalms 93 to 99, 18:30 the Lord reigns and announcing His judgment, 18:33 culminating in the psalms of praise, 18:37 Psalms 145 to 150. 18:40 So, as I said, this is not something set in stone, 18:44 people are still studying, 18:46 but there seems to be that progression, 18:48 something that we can relate to: 18:51 faith that begins almost naively, 18:54 believing that everything is in God's control, 19:00 good gets rewarded, evil gets punished. 19:03 But then we realize 19:05 that the world is not black and white; it's complex. 19:08 And the book of Psalms deals with that complexity, 19:12 wants to challenge that and find answers from God 19:16 and gives us the answers. 19:18 >>Eric: So we have a book that has some sort of an order. 19:22 It has a direction that it goes. 19:24 Not necessarily a chronological order, 19:26 but if someone was coming to the book of Psalms 19:29 and understanding that it's not a chronological book, 19:32 how would they approach reading it? 19:35 Are there different ways 19:36 that they could approach reading it 19:38 in order to gain a blessing for themselves, 19:42 rather than introduction, body, conclusion? 19:45 How might they do that? 19:47 >>Dragoslava: Yes, well, people can-- 19:49 and this is my favorite way of reading the Psalms: 19:52 reading them chapter by chapter as the chapters come, 19:57 instead of just selecting how I feel. 19:59 I like to read it that way and allow that progression 20:03 to kind of get deep into me and becomes part of my fiber, 20:11 all right, of my being. 20:13 As one theologian said, the progression from orientation 20:18 when we think that we have all the answers, 20:22 then we get into the phase of disorientation 20:25 when our worldview, when our faith, is challenged. 20:29 Then we are led to the new orientation 20:33 when God leads us to new understandings, 20:35 teaching us that He cannot be put in a box 20:39 and that all the answers we think we have, 20:42 we don't rely on them but always on seeking God. 20:46 So however, people 20:48 can also choose to read the Psalms 20:50 according to their current situation. 20:53 I like to say that the Psalms have a song and a prayer 20:57 for every season in life. 21:00 So if currently you've been blessed, 21:03 your cup is filled and overflowing, 21:06 take the psalms of praise, praise God, 21:09 give Him thanks. 21:11 However, if you're going through the valley of shadow of death, 21:14 maybe you are ill or I can tell my--our viewers, 21:19 if you are ill or someone you know is ill, 21:22 take the psalms of lament, take the psalms 21:26 that when you cry out to God for help, 21:29 and God will hear you. 21:31 God is here for you. 21:33 So there is a song for every season. 21:37 >>Eric: So there's a lot in there for different people 21:39 at different times in their lives. 21:42 You mentioned some of the ways that it is written, 21:45 so there are some Hebrew poetic imagery 21:49 and forms in there. 21:51 How does that really enrich our study of the psalms, 21:55 because the way that we think or consider poetry, 21:59 may be a little different than what we find in psalms. 22:01 How does that help us today? 22:04 >>Dragoslava: Yes, yes. 22:05 Well, being a piece of poetry, even poetry in English 22:09 sometimes can be challenging 22:11 because the poets have this liberty to use 22:14 the words and metaphors that suit them 22:19 and, like painters, they paint certain images using words. 22:25 Well, likewise, the psalmists. 22:28 Some images are almost self-explanatory. 22:32 When the psalmist says the Lord is my shepherd, 22:35 we get pretty much the idea of what that is: 22:39 someone who cares, someone who protects. 22:43 But then there are some harder images, 22:45 and that's why it is good for us to dig in 22:48 and try to understand what did the psalmist mean 22:52 when he used a certain imagery? 22:56 But then there are some images 22:57 that are hidden in the Hebrew text, 23:00 and I don't know, Pastor Eric, 23:01 if we have time, maybe to share one example. 23:03 >>Eric: Sure, yeah, let's take a look. 23:05 >>Dragoslava: Yes, in Psalm 76, I love this one very much. 23:12 Psalm 76, verse 2. 23:16 It says: "In Salem also is His tabernacle, 23:21 and His dwelling place in Zion." 23:24 Well, here is a parallelism: tabernacle, dwelling place, 23:30 referring obviously to the sanctuary to the temple. 23:34 However, the Hebrew text gives us a little bit more 23:38 and it's actually a very beautiful image here. 23:42 In the first line, the word "tabernacle," the psalmist uses 23:47 a little bit unusual word 23:50 that's not really used for tabernacle or the sanctuary, 23:53 and that's the word "sukkah," which means booth. 23:58 Now, in the Old Testament, we know the holiday, 24:03 the Feast of Tabernacles, 24:04 when the ancient Israelites build their booth 24:08 to remind them of their sojourn in the wilderness, 24:12 and the booths, the "sukkahs," 24:14 were well known in biblical times 24:17 as places where people could find shade from the sun, 24:21 and workers usually would leave their tools, 24:23 or maybe when there is rain, 24:25 they would come and find a dry place and to rest. 24:30 So "sukkah," by telling that God's temple is "sukkah," 24:36 that image immediately pictured something to the ancient people, 24:41 knowing, "Wow, that's that place, 24:43 "when I am in need I go to 'sukkah.' 24:46 It protects me, it shields me." 24:49 And then in the next line, his dwelling place. 24:56 In Hebrew that's the word "maon." 24:58 What's wonderful here 25:00 is that "maon" describes a lion's den 25:04 and there are many biblical texts that I can quote, 25:07 Job 38, Psalm 104, songs for Isaiah 31. 25:14 The word "maon" describes, depicts, a lion's den, 25:18 and here it says that His dwelling place in Zion 25:23 is like the den of a lion. 25:27 And this is so prominent because in the psalms 25:30 we hear this clamor and noises 25:33 made by enemies who blaspheme against God, 25:38 who torture God's people, who oppose 25:41 everything that is right and good in the world. 25:44 But now we have here God who, like a lion, 25:48 roars out of His tabernacle of His sanctuary, 25:53 and the world stands still. 25:55 He is the one who rules. 25:57 He is the Sovereign, and we praise Him for that. 26:00 >>Eric: So these are some things 26:02 that we might just skip over without realizing it, 26:04 if we don't go and pull that out. 26:06 So that's exciting. We're gonna look at that. 26:08 Let me ask you this question. 26:09 We don't have too much time left, 26:11 but why are the psalms important for Christians today? 26:14 Why do we need to spend time in this, 26:16 put effort into it? 26:18 What are we going to get out of it? 26:19 Why is it important for us today? 26:21 >>Dragoslava: Yes, we are aware of some sad tendencies 26:25 that people regard the Old Testament 26:28 as an old book. 26:30 "Why do we need the Old Testament 26:32 when we have the New?" 26:33 Well, let me tell you that the book of Psalms 26:37 is one of the most-quoted books in the New Testament. 26:42 Jesus quoted it so many times, the apostles, 26:46 all the writers of the New Testament. 26:49 So that should be one big inspiration for us 26:53 to turn to the book of Psalms. 26:56 Also, one of the last words our Lord Jesus spoke 27:00 while he was on this world, on the cross, 27:04 "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" 27:08 It's a prayer from the psalms. 27:10 Jesus prayed the psalms. 27:12 The psalms are Jesus's prayers that He prayed 27:16 as the incarnate Lord and Son of man, our Savior. 27:21 But the psalms are also prayers about Jesus. 27:25 And from the psalms, 27:27 we can learn so much about our Lord. 27:30 So when we read the psalms, we come closer 27:33 to the One who inspired them, prayed them, 27:37 and invites us to join Him 27:41 in praying these psalms for the world. 27:44 >>Eric: So we're going to get a clear picture of Jesus 27:46 as we take this journey together. 27:48 And we're excited about sharing this journey with you. 27:50 This is just the beginning. 27:52 This is week 1 of 13 weeks that we're going through this. 27:55 And you don't want to miss a single week. 27:58 Thank you for joining us here on "Sabbath School" 28:00 brought to you by It Is Written, 28:02 and we look forward to seeing you again next week. 28:04 ♪♪♪ 28:14 ♪♪♪ 28:24 ♪♪♪ |
Revised 2023-12-26