David Pawson - ’Unlocking the Bible’ Podcast

Part 38 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series  David Pawson says Isaiah is a collection of prophecies made over 40 years and is not ordered, so he gives the ‘shape’ of the book to help with our understanding.  Chapters 1-10 are a reproof for Judah; 13-23 deal with nations that God used to discipline Israel but who were too harsh - they will now be judged. 24-34 speak of judgment on the northern tribes and Judah. But there are 2 sections sandwiched that are good news. God gives his people a little glimpse of a brighter future. 36-39 are narrative of King Hezekiah’s illness and show how Assyria gave way to Babylon as the main threat. This first part is leading to the people’s exile from their land. Even so, there will be a remnant to return and there will be a King who will bring peace to the nations. The second section shows a wonderful picture of God all the way through. He’s the only God there is, he’s the Almighty Creator, the Holy One of Israel, the Kinsman Redeemer, the Saviour of the nations, and the God of history. Also, to the Jew there is a mysterious figure who has a faultless character, is a Man of sorrows, is killed for the sins of others and is raised from the dead and exalted. Believers recognize that this is a prophecy of Jesus.

Part 37 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series  David Pawson shows the surprising parallel between the chapters of Isaiah and the composition of the entire Bible. Isaiah is the Bible in miniature. But parts of it are not well known. Jesus referred to Isaiah more than any other scripture, as did Paul. David provides insights from the historian Josephus and other Jewish tradition. Isaiah was the greatest prophet in word, as Moses and Elijah were great in deed. From the time of his encounter with God in the temple, Isaiah referred to the Lord as ‘the Holy One of Israel’. He had a difficult task because God had warned him that he was to preach but the people would not heed. His resultant book has been an inspiration to generations. He preached during the reign of 4 kings, and when the king was good, they won their battles as God was with them. Isaiah emphasized both justice and mercy. The first section of 39 chapters is national, looking at Israel and the small nations around her, and God is pictured as fire; part 2 is international, looking at Israel and all the nations of the world, and God is seen as Father. Whereas the first part majors on judgment, the second on comforting with good news.   

Part 36 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series  David Pawson explores the reasons for the Song of Songs being in our Bibles. It has no mention of God or anything of a particularly spiritual nature, yet rabbis treat it as very holy. David says, for Hebrews there is one God who made the physical and the spiritual and physical is good - whereas in the West we have been influenced by Greek thinking which separates the two. “Here in the Bible, God is affirming love between a man and woman.” David says the Bible is a story of how God went looking for a bride for his Son; it is a love letter to us. It is a love story from beginning to end. Song of Songs was written by Solomon and David Pawson fits the pieces of the romance between Solomon and his love interest together for us. He says, at the heart of our religion is a very personal relationship; being a Christian is being in love with the Lord. God always speaks of his relationship with his people in terms of family relationships. Jesus Christ says he is the Bridegroom. Our relationship with the Lord is not erotic, but it is emotional.

Part 35 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series  We disagree with some of Ecclesiastes as the author has reached the end of his life and is disappointed, disillusioned and depressed. It doesn’t mean that God has the same attitudes. Solomon had been in a position to have or do anything he wanted.  Now he felt that everything had been pointless. Some pastimes are acceptable but if they are the main focus in life, they will not satisfy, they will not interpret life for you. This book is old but it speaks to the modern person who is ever seeking something to stimulate him/her. If we find meaning to life first, then we are ready to enjoy other experiences. Solomon observed multiple situations ‘under the sun’, and David Pawson says that life can’t be lived under the sun – you need a much higher perspective to see what life is all about. Solomon’s other limitation was that he looked only at this life.  He never mentions the next. It is only when you see life in light of heaven’s perspective and this world in light of the next that you begin to see what life is all about. In 2 chapters, Solomon mentions God and becomes positive in outlook. God is weaving a pattern out of your life. Fear God and obey him. People are foolish to leave the Maker’s instructions on the shelf. Life can be worthwhile.

Part 34 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series  David discusses the decisions we have to make in life and the advice given in Proverbs relates to making wise choices in the large and small aspects of everyday life. David says, wisdom is what’s best for you, not what’s profitable. It’s based on knowledge of God, not knowledge of the world. Proverbs deals with subjects such as laziness, the company you keep, being faithful, relating to neighbours, even taking out loans. Being a good wife is also discussed, though the book as a whole is addressed to a young man from his father. There are over 70 proverbs on what a fool is like and they seem to describe some modern people. Another key subject is the tongue and the danger it can be. Relationships, family and otherwise, are discussed. Proverbs shows how to be a good friend. David says that the Bible view is that we are basically bad and can do good things in contrast to the humanist view that we are basically good and can do bad things. Unfortunately, the Israelis did not follow the wisdom of King Solomon and Israel spiraled downwards. David points out that the word ‘wisdom’ goes right through the New Testament and Proverbs is frequently quoted. ‘Christ has become for us wisdom from God.’

Part 33 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series  David Pawson says, when you first read the book of Proverbs, it seems to be a jumble of folk sayings or just common sense - except that sense isn’t all that common. Solomon collected most of the proverbs, some of them Arabic and some Egyptian which he put in a context of God, as well as many he wrote himself. They don’t deal with spirituality, but they focus on day to day life and many of them are still used today though people often don’t realize where they originated. The key to reading these proverbs is to recognize yourself in them. The book is really saying godliness is worked out in real life – it’s not just something you do on Sundays in church. As David Pawson says, there is nothing secular except sin in God’s sight. Every job is sacred to God whether you’re a computer operator, taxi driver or preacher. David sees this book as ‘the key to the good life’. The Bible talks about the good life in moral terms rather than material terms. Proverbs is about what we are saved for, not what we are saved by. Salvation is a process - God is saving us to be sensible people who can make the most of life and be useful to him again. A proverb is not a promise.

Part 32 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series  In this talk, David Pawson looks at groups of psalms which should be taken together. Psalms 96 to 99 have the theme: God is King; 113 to 118 are sung together at the Passover.  The word ‘hosanna’ from 118 is actually a demand for freedom – ‘save us’. The Songs of Ascent 120 to 134 were to be sung as the Jews travelled up to Jerusalem. The final group is 146 to 150 which are all Hallelujah songs. From groups, David moves on to types of psalms – Pleas – a cry from the heart; Thank you – gratitude for deliverance; and Sorry psalms – penitence – which all have a particular form or pattern. David points out that there are 4 categories of psalms. #1 Royal Psalms written by King David which deal with reigning from his personal perspective. #2 Messianic Psalms which prophesy about the coming Messiah. #3 Wisdom Psalms – the result of quiet meditation, full of practical wisdom for handling life. #4 Imprecatory Psalms (calling down vengeance on enemies) – David reminds us that they didn’t have the knowledge that we have of Jesus’ teaching or the afterlife. At least, they were honest; and they left vengeance to God himself. One day God will avenge those who’ve been wronged.   

Part 31 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series  David Pawson says that, though the Psalms were written over a period of a thousand years, and two and a half thousand years ago, they speak to us as though written yesterday. They were really the Jewish hymn book, divided into 5 sections. And  David points out that when we praise or pray we are doing so as part of the Body of believers. However, there are personal psalms as well. They cover almost everything you could possibly want to say to God and express 3 particular attitudes: Pleas, Thanks and Sorry. They range in feelings from deep grief to anger, frustration and great joy. It is the most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament. Over half the psalms were penned by King David and his life story can be traced through the psalms. One group of psalms – 22 to 24 – should be taken together and present us with the Lord who is first of all Saviour, then Shepherd and then Sovereign. David says, until you’ve been to the cross and found him as your Saviour, you have no right whatever to regard him as your Shepherd. This follows on to recognize that he is also the King of Glory who is coming as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Part 30 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series  Why is it important to have a Bible which shows the difference between poetry and prose? Because, as Hebrew poetry differs from English poetry, it would be easy for us to miss it. Prose is written from margin to margin while poetry is spaced out more. David Pawson says, when God speaks in prose, he is communicating thoughts from his mind to ours, but when he speaks in poetry he is communicating his feelings from his heart to our heart. We should recognize that we actually affect God’s feelings every day. What we feel about God is not nearly as important as what he feels about us. Poetry reaches the parts of us that prose cannot. Also it stays in the memory longer. As well as touching your heart, it can go deeper into the will and challenge you – to change your way of life. It is meant to be read aloud. Poetry has Rhyme, Rhythm and Repetition. Hebrew poetry does not use rhyme but has rhythm and especially repetition. It often relies on two statements that belong together – couplets – which echo each other, with the 2nd line usually taking the thought a step further or presenting the opposite thought. An interesting study which helps us to appreciate the different form of poetry which God used.   

Part 29 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series  David Pawson says that the book of Job consists largely of two debates, one in heaven and one on earth. As in any particular case of suffering, nobody knows the whole picture. David says the real question is not about undeserved suffering, but whether you can go on believing in a good God when everything is going wrong. He says that Job’s real pain was that through the suffering he lost touch with God. Several friends came and sat with Job which was good – until they opened their mouths and gave him their own human wisdom – and some of their arguments are still being used today. They all saw that Job could not be innocent since he was suffering so much. Each man was trying to force Job’s situation into their own preconceived ideas; this is bigotry. Job responds to each of his friends by acknowledging that God has visited this suffering upon him, but he can’t repent because he is not aware of any sin. He calls upon God to visit him so he can argue his case with him. When God finally responds, he shows that Job had been discrediting him to justify himself. Job repents of this arrogance, he is at last back in touch with the Lord, and the Lord blessed Job amazingly.