For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 2 – Foolish Opposition

1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
    and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 ‘Let us break their chains
    and throw off their shackles.’

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
    the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
    and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 ‘I have installed my king
    on Zion, my holy mountain.’

7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, ‘You are my son;
    today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
    and I will make the nations your inheritance,
    the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
    you will dash them to pieces like pottery.’

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
    be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
    and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

A. Find Out:

1. What 4 descriptions of the world’s activity are given? v.1,2
2. What do they say? v.3
3. What is God’s fivefold response? v.4-6
4. What relationship is first established? v.7
5. What will the two do? v.8,9
6. What should be our response therefore? v.10-12

B. Think:

1. What do the world feel towards God?
2. How do you see v.6 as God’s response to this?
3. How are v.7-9 seen as a description of this newly installed king?

C. Comment:

      By contrast we now see how the unrighteous world opposes God, and His response to them.

     First, the WORLD’S ATTITUDE towards God. They consider God’s presence and God’s law to be oppressive, to be restrictive and they want to throw off any sense of being dictated to by God, they want to rule and decide for themselves. This is “the world”, godless mankind in a state of sin.

     Second, the LORD’S RESPONSE. He simply laughs! How foolish for tiny man to challenge Almighty God! This stupidity angers Him and He challenges them for going so far away from the wonderful relationship He made them to have with Him in the beginning. Not only that, He frightens them with the statement that He has established His ruler in their midst on the earth. Far from moving away from them, He comes to stand in their midst and establish His unending reign.

     Third, comes the DESCRIPTION OF HIS KING, Jesus who was to come, a Son who would reign with a rule that was inflexible, unbending, and uncompromising. He comes with His word and brings total destruction to “self” if we are to gain eternity.

      Finally, the CALL TO BE WISE. A reverent respect should be the response of those who would consider these things! Only fools refuse to give it.

D. Application?

1. To challenge Almighty God is pure foolishness and stupidity!
2. Jesus rules today so honour Him.