Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb19980201.htm

PSALMS: DIARIES OF GODLY OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS
Psalm Ninety-Nine - Appreciating God's SEPARATION From Sin
(Psalm 99:1-9)
  1. Introduction
    1. The doctrine of "separation", the assertion that one separate himself from not only personal sin, but also evil in others is somewhat unpopular in today's religious circles. It speaks to many of an affection for disunity and harshness. Though this doctrine is clearly taught in passages like 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, it still seems to many to be a difficult one to adopt and practice.
    2. Psalm 99:1-9 instructs the believer on the value of separation in countering this distaste for the doctrine:
  2. Appreciating God's SEPARATION From Sin, Psalm 99:1-9.
    1. The psalmist exalts the sovereignty of God over the earth and heavens, Ps. 99:1-2.
    2. This sovereign God is to be praised because, in addition to being sovereign, He is also holy, or SEPARATE from SIN, Ps. 99:3.
    3. The REASONS God is to be praised for being holy in addition to His being sovereign are itemized:
      1. Because God is mighty and holy, He operates with justice and equity among men, Ps. 99:4.
      2. This equity and justice is deeply appreciated by men, and needs to elicit man's praise of God, 99:5.
      3. Specifically, the psalmist points to Israel's historical leaders for illustrations of this truth, Ps. 99:6-8:
        1. He names Moses, Aaron and Samuel as men whom this sovereign, holy and thus just and equitable God answered in times of need, Ps. 99:6.
        2. Because they themselves were separate from sin, God answered their cries for help, Ps. 99:7.
        3. In answering them, God applied His separateness from sin to handle plaguing problems of personal guilt and oppression from opponents, Ps. 99:8. A few of the events of handling sin and oppression in the lives of these men can be itemized: (a) Moses enjoyed God's deliverance from the oppressive pharaoh because he called out to a sovereign, holy God who judged the ruler of Egypt and delivered Israel at the Red Sea, cf. Ex. 14:15-31. (b) Moses enjoyed God's forgiveness for striking the rock against God's will so that he was not slain on the spot, but got to see the Promised Land, cf. Num. 20:8-12; Deut. 32:48-51. (c) Moses and Aaron both enjoyed God's deliverance from the insurrection of Korah who sought to replace their spiritual leadership of the nation, Num. 16:1-5, 23-33. Later they both enjoyed God's public supernatural verification of Aaron's spiritual position as High Priest with the bud ding of his rod. This verification was designed to silence all future insurrections against their leadership, Num. 17:1-13. (d) Samuel enjoyed God's help in destroying the Philistines when he prayed for national deliverance in 1 Sam. 7:7-12. This deliver ance was so great that ((a)) the Philistines did not bother Israel all the days that Samuel was the main leader of the nation, but saw a number of the cities they had seized delivered back to the people of God. 1 Sam. 7:13-14b. ((b)) Besides, another en emy, the Amorites, had peace with Israel under his leadership, a definite fulfillment of the blessings of the Mosaic Covenant, cf. 1 Sam. 7:14c with Deut. 28:10.
    4. Accordingly, in summary, the psalmist called upon the people of God to exalt and worship God because He used His sovereign power to assert separation from sin to the blessing of His people, Israel, Ps. 99:9.
Lesson: God's separateness from sin, His holiness, applied through His sovereignty over sin and sinners, brings blessings of forgiveness and deliverance from oppressive, evil parties to those who are characterized by uprightness. God provides thes e blessings through answering their prayers for help, cf. 1 Jn. 3:22. BASED upon one's thus ENJOYING such blessings, he is OBLIGATED to bless and honor the Lord for His separation from sin applied for these blessings in one's behalf.

Application: If (1) we enjoy God's deliverance from wicked oppressors and from our own guilt through His forgiveness, and (2) we thus owe God worship and praise for His being separate from sin for us to enjoy such blessings, (3) we are THEREBY obli gated to appreciate and to practice SEPARATENESS from SIN itself in our lives! 1 Pet. 1:15-16. There is no logical way to escape our being obligated to value practicing separation from sin ourselves!