Summary of passages: Genesis 4:25-26: Adam and Eve had another son named Seth. Seth had a son named Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord.
Psalm 34: David says he will extol the Lord at all times so the afflicted may hear and rejoice. He sought the Lord who answered him and delivered him from all his fears. Those who look to Him are radiant and never in shame. The Lord heard the poor man call and He saved him out of all his troubles.
Blessed are those who take refuge in Him. Fear the Lord and you will lack nothing. Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The Lord’s ears are attentive to the righteous’ cry. He delivers them from all his troubles. He protects him. He is against those who do evil.
He redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who take refuge in Him.
Questions:
3a) Well, the only possible answer is men began to call on the name of the Lord.
b) Personal Question. My answer: Bring all my troubles to God. Pray. Continually talk about God. Shine His light into society through my actions.
4a) If you seek the Lord, He answers you and delivers you from all your fears. Those who seek Him lack no good thing. The Lord hears those who cry out and He delivers them from all their troubles. His ears are attentive to your cry.
b) Personal Question. My answer: That the Lord hears me and delivers me from ALL my troubles. Knowing I can bring every little thing to Him gives me peace of mind.
Conclusions: Not a fan of this lesson either especially 3b. It’s a stretch. Now I’m assuming we’re only talking about Genesis and NOT Psalm here because it’s a 3b and question 4 discusses Psalm. Could be wrong here though.
Calling on the Lord, to me, is a personal thing. It’s when I’m on my knees, pouring my heart out. It’s not in a grocery store where people think I’m a freak. Yes, showing my family how to call on Him is very important. Influencing society? Not quite sure except to tell others how you rely on Him.
You have to walk that fine line where people don’t think you are a freak.
Just my take again. Could have missed the point completely.
Thank you for your diligence. Your postings are so helpful. God bless…
I loved this days study! Maybe because I’m also doing a James study. And its like
God has taken a beautiful bow and wrapped His gift of James 1:18-25 Psalms 34, and Isaiah 26 with this and HE spoke to my heart, today! I rewrote and made psalms a personal story of when I am humble and take the right attitude and get to have His joy because even then the trouble – it doesn’t swallow and consume me. I wish I had this all the time and my attitude and way followed His expert counsel. I would give everything for this very thing to be mine at all times. Sometimes I need more than just one verse or chapter of the BSF lesson to get me where God is really intending to take me.
I found 3b confusing, too. If 3a is the clear answer you and I both think it is from Genesis 4:26, then, I’m not sure what Scripture 3b is referring to and I don’t see how it would refer to Psalm 34. I wish it was clearer.
Just a few thoughts on Second Day, questions 3 & 4
I think the focus is what does it look like to “call on the name of the Lord” In Psalm 34 I came to the conclusion to list the aspects of calling on the name of the Lord. So here goes. Extol ,Praise, Boast in the Lord Glorify ,Exalt His name, Seek (sought in the text), Look to Him, Call (called), Taste and See ,Fear, Seek, and Cry Out. After listing these it made me think of the four parts of prayer. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. I think “calling on the name of the Lord” encompasses all these things. All are important, but I seem to relate mostly to “Cry Out” it’s packed with emotion and goes straight to the heart. I liked this question. Not sure it’s where BSF was headed, but it was a good exercise for me.