Sunday, September 4, 2011
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STUDIES IN PSALMS
Give Ear to My Law
Psalm 78
Tonight we want to examine another psalm.
We are in the midst of a group attributed to Asaph.
This psalm is one of the longest we have studied thus far, but
its message is clear.
By some this psalm is called one of the great national hymns
of Israel (McCaw). It is a psalm whose purpose is to remind Israel of
their need to remain faithful from generation to generation.
The introduction of this psalm, where we will spend the majority
of our study, is a challenge to remember God’s work and our conduct in
times past so that we do not repeat our mistakes.
The time of this psalm is not specifically stated in it, but
we know that it had to be penned after David was king and possibly much
later. The psalmist seems to
be concerned as he sees what has happened in the past happening again.
He warns and seeks to wake up the people.
I.
The Purpose of This
Psalm (1-8)
a.
Give ear to my law (1);
NASU, “Listen, O my people, to my
instruction.” The
psalmist sees something that needs to be addressed and he faces it.
This is yet another example of the call for preachers to preach what is
NEEDED instead of what is wanted!
2 Tim. 4:2 where Paul told Timothy to preach “in season and out
of season.”
There are many examples of exhortations, corrections and warnings from
preachers. The Hebrew letter
is filled with warnings presented by its author (cf. Heb. 2:1-3,
5:12-14, etc.)
Paul warned the Ephesian elders about coming wolves, (Ac. 20:29-31)
b.
I will open my mouth in
a parable & utter “dark sayings” (2).
The idea of these terms is that he is presenting “weighty
sayings” (Spurgeon).
Just like the parables of the New Testament, these things were intended
to give a better understanding of spiritual needs.
Jesus in Matt. 13: 11-13 explained why He spoke in parables.
Like the parables which made
comparisons, the psalmist is intent to remind them of God’s work with
Israel.
Often, the preacher today will seek to make applications by comparing
our needs to Biblical accounts.
NOTE: For such to be effective, we must ALL start with a healthy respect
for God’s word. We must
believe it is true and the accounts therein really happened.
c.
We will not hide them
from our children (3-4)
i.
Under the Old Law –
Israel was COMMANDED to teach these statutes to their children.
Moses in Deut. 4:5-9 reminded the people of what God had done for
them. He duly challenges
them to repeat these things to generations. To come.
Deut. 6:4-9 – Love God and keep His words in your heart.
Teach them at every opportunity to your children.
Note that there is both formal and informal teaching here.
ii.
In the New Testament,
fathers are entrusted with this same responsibility – Eph. 6:4, we bring
them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
2 Tim. 3:15 speaks of the training of Timothy from his mother and
grand-mother.
iii.
Friends, this is
IMPERATIVE if there is to be any hope of a church in the next
generation.
d.
HE established a
testimony in Israel and appointed a law in Israel that they should make
known to their children (5-6) (i.e. our grandchildren).
i.
The significance of this
statement is how it reminds us WHERE our instructions must come from –
the testimony, law and commands of God.
ii.
For Israel this was the
Law of Moses.
iii.
For us it is the New
Testament – 2 Tim. 3:16,17
Jude 3 – the “faith once for all delivered to the saints”
Jas. 1:25 – the perfect law of liberty
e.
“That they may set their
hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.”
(7)
i.
How much effort are we
making to instill hope in our children?
Hope of a home in heaven after this life?
Hope that will lead to faithful service to Him throughout life.
ii.
For this to happen, we
need to be teaching our children the word of God consistently.
They need to be at Bible study as every conceivable opportunity.
They need to hear the word of God and SEE it at home (on mirrors,
the refrigerator, on the coffee table, on walls, etc.)
iii.
BUT even more, they need
to see it in our lives. Are
we living with REAL hope?
How do we treat our spouses?
Are we worldly in our pursuits?
What are our real priorities?
Do they see us truly OBEYING God in all things.
f.
And may not be like
their stubborn and rebellious fathers (8)
This is the GOAL – that they not rebel against God or reject Him as they
leave home. Truly this is
something for us to consider!
II.
Israel in the wilderness
(9-40)
a.
Israel was guilty of not
keeping the covenant of God and they refused to walk in His law and
forgot His works and wonders (9-12)
b.
In the wilderness, the
Lord – divided the Red Sea and gave them light throughout their
wanderings in the wilderness (cloud by day, light of fire by night)
(13-14)
c.
He gave them water on
more than one occasion (15-16)
d.
The account of demanding
meat (17-31). This account
is recorded in Num. 11:1-9, 31-34.
But the people were not content – they sinned, rebelled and tested God
by demanding food for their fancy (17-18).
Vs. 19-20 describes their doubtful and critical attitude against Him.
“Can He provide meat?”
Vs. 21-22 – The Lord’s anger kindled because of their lack of faith and
trust in Him
Vs. 23-25 – He had given them manna from heaven to eat.
NOTE: This text describes it as “angel’s food”
Vs. 26-28 – though they were ungrateful, He gave them meat – quail like
dust and as the sand of the seas.
Vs. 29 – 30 – they ate and gave into their cravings (indicating they
were uncivilized in their conduct) – STILL no gratitude!
Vs. 31 – Therefore the wrath of God came against them and struck down
many of them.
e.
God’s wrath because of
their superficial repentance (32-41)
Vs. 32 notes that the people still sinned and did not believe in His
wondrous works (fleeting gratitude as soon as their appetites were
satisfied).
Vs. 33, therefore, their days were filled with futility and their years
with fear. This is an
OVERALL description of their wilderness wanderings.
Apart from a few events, most of them demonstrating Israel’s
rebellious ingratitude, we are not told what their lives of wilderness
wandering were like. This
text gives us an idea – they were NOT pleasant times.
Vs. 34-35, it was only after God punished them by destroying those who
rebelled that they would return.
Like the child that says, “I’m sorry” when being punished to
lighten the blows, their “regrets” were superficial.
Vs. 36-37 describes their response as a lie!
How do we know, because they were not consistent. NOTE: There is
a lesson here for us about TRUE repentance.
If we say we are sorry and “mean it” but we persist in that
ungodly behavior, is that TRUE repentance?
NOTICE how God fells about such.
Vs. 38-40 – Yet God in His mercy and compassion did not destroy them.
He realized their frailties (as flesh) and did not destroy them.
BUT their conduct still hurt!!!!
Vs. 41 – time and again they tempted Him and did not allow Him to bless
them because of their rebellion and rejection.
III.
They did not remember
Egypt (42-53)
a.
Vs. 42- 51 describe many
of the plagues that devastated Egypt, including the death of the
firstborn which resulted in their release from bondage.
b.
Vs. 52-53 – but He
delivered His own people sparing them as they obeyed.
He safely delivered them through the Red Sea and destroyed their
enemies.
c.
54 – He brought them to
the Holy mountain – Mt. Sinai where they received the Law.
IV.
Their inheritance of the
land (54-66) - the period of the
judges
a.
VS. 55 – He drove out
nations before them and gave them their inheritance by survey
b.
Vs. 56-57 – Yet, even
after having received the Promised Land, they (again) tested and provoke
God and did NOT keep His testimonies.
They acted unfaithfully, like their fathers.
I think of Judges 2:10.
c.
Vs. 58 – they went after
the foreign gods of the nations they failed to drive out
d.
Vs. 59-64 describes the
state of punishment Israel faced during this time.
Most, if not all the events described here, can be found in the
book of judges and the first part of 1 Samuel (the ark was captured when
Eli’s corrupt sons were killed and he died as well – ch. 4-6).
e.
Vs. 65-66 – He awoke and
beat back His enemies (and delivered Israel).
V.
He chose David (67-72)
a.
Vs. 67 - He did not
choose Ephraim (which would be part of the Israel in the divided
kingdom)
b.
Vs. 68 – He chose Judah,
loving Mt. Zion (the city of David – Jerusalem).
We see here God’s plans in the works for mankind’s redemption –
the ultimate example of His caring for mankind, even the sinner.
c.
Vs. 69 – He build His
sanctuary like the heights – allowing the building of the temple, but
more permanently, heaven itself (cf. Heb. 9:1-15, 23-28, exp. Vs. 24)
d.
Vs. 70-71 – He chose
David, whose throne would be established forever (2 Sam. 7:12-17).
e.
Vs. 71-72 – David would
shepherd the people (being a godly king – for the most part) according
to the integrity of His heart.
NOTE: Because of his
godliness and being a man after God’s own heart (Ac. 13:22, 1 Kings.
9:4), ALL the sinfulness of the past was forgotten and Israel was
afforded the opportunity to start over.
There are many lessons for us in this psalm, but as we read it, what
stands out is our need to remember the goodness of God and respond with
godly humility by obeying Him.
AND, if we are blessed with children, let us do all that we can
to ensure that they too are fully aware of how good God truly is.
AND let us not forget, that if we rebel and reject Him, He WILL
punish us for such conduct.
Learn from the past and become better as a result of it.