Opus 2026-246: Sounds of Authority

My journey begins as we were studying Jeremiah.  We were in chapter 31 and came across this verse.

Jeremiah 31:9 (KJV) They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

The theme in this section seemed to be God gathering His scattered people from around the world.  It could easily refer to something in the end times.  The discussion went down a road full of assumptions and concrete traditions that did not necessarily help us understand what the Bible was telling us.

Somehow the phrase “walk by the rivers of waters” was lifted out and it was suggested that this referred to the captives in Babylon.  Since the theme was gathering in, that was a plausible explanation.  The a resounding voice quoted something.

Psalm 137:1 (KJV) By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

The voice was deep and sure.  It spoke with authority.  Everyone looked wise and nodded his head.  At that point I was good with the concept even though Babylon was not mentioned in that section of Jeremiah and the language seemed similar.  (Later research showed that the word in Psalms was totally different than the one in Jeremiah.).  I was okay with the statement at that point but the voice of authority had to add one little point that soured his punch with me.

The Voice declared two things with great power.  He said that David was speaking prophetically and reflecting the return predicted by Jeremiah.  Wow.  What an insight.  It was spoken like you could take it to the bank without a deposit slip.

I have this problem.  I like to read the actual quote in context.  I was not doubting the voice of authority.  I was just confirming in my own mind what I was hearing.  When I read it for myself it has more staying power.

Alas.  The Psalm did not say David had written it.  One of the traps we fall into is assuming that common knowledge is true.  If you polled the population, those who did not ask “What is Psalms?” Or “Who is David?” would assume that David wrote Psalms and Solomon wrote Proverbs.  I was in that camp for years, until I started reading and thinking for myself.  One thing that comes clear when you read Psalms with your brain engaged is that David did not write all the Psalms.  How do I know?  Because the Bible says so.  I know that there are many people who would argue with me because their pastor said David wrote them.  Don’t argue with me, read what the Bible says.

To further complicate the issue, there are many Psalms that don’t say who wrote them.  Now in my way of thinking if most of the chapters have what newspapers call a “by line” then when there is no attribution we don’t make an assumption based on our wish list of absolutes.  If he had said, “It doesn’t say, but I think David wrote this.  If David wrote it then he was speaking prophetically”  I could have nodded with the rest of them.  Instead he was making an absolute declaration which I am sure fit in with his chart of the end times.  That I reject.

My point is, don’t accept voices of authority just because they have a deep, resonating sound supported by rock hard certainty.  Read for yourself.  Think for yourself.  Listen to the Holy Spirit yourself, because He will speak to you.  For me it also takes another step and makes me skeptical of anything else The Voice has to say, but that is just me.

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