Psalm 78 says this in the title:
A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem, of Asaph.
Didactic means: Intended for instruction, teaching or intending to teach a moral lesson. Asaph's purpose in writing this was to remind the people of all of the instructions they had been given, how they had fallen into sin and rebellion, and what God's response had been. Over and over God did miraculous things for them, then, at the first sign of trouble, they would turn away from Him again! When the result of their disobedience brought them to their knees, they would call on Him again! Very revealing are verses 35-37:
35 And they [earnestly] remembered that God was their Rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer. 36 Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouths and lied to Him with their tongues. 37 For their hearts were not right or sincere with Him, neither were they faithful and steadfast to His covenant.
They just couldn't keep themselves from falling into sin again and again and again! But God's response to them is very revealing also! Verses 38-39:
38 But He, full of [merciful] compassion, forgave their iniquity and destroyed them not; yes, many a time He turned His anger away and did not stir up all His wrath and indignation. 39 For He [earnestly] remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that goes and does not return.
I love that Leviticus 26-27 today cover the same thing! God was telling them what would happen if they didn't obey His instructions. We know they didn't. We also now know that He was true to His Word and everything He said would happen, DID happen! That gives us encouragement to trust Him and His Word for us today!
Romans also talks about habitually falling into sin. The ANSWER is found in Romans 6:23:
23 For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.
Don't think for a moment that YOU wouldn't have fallen into sin just like the Israelites! Just be continually thankful that you now belong to God's family and have the Spirit of God living IN you! Go to 1 John 1:9 the moment you sin so you can get right back in fellowship with Him! We are, of all people, MOST BLESSED! AMEN!
One of the results of Israel's continued rebellion against the LORD and his Word was that they would be removed from the land and dispersed throughout the earth. We know that this DID happen! But we also know that Leviticus 26:44-45 is true, for we have seen it with our very eyes in these days!
44 And yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn and cast them away, neither will I despise and abhor them to destroy them utterly and to break My covenant with them, for I am the LORD their God. 45 But I will for their sake [earnestly] remember the covenant with their forefathers whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the LORD.
Don't ever let anyone tell you that God is done with Israel and that the Church has replaced them. NEVER! We, the Church of Jesus Christ, have OUR place in God's eternal plan, and so does the nation of Israel! The instruction still stands to bless Israel, with the promise of being blessed ourselves! Those who curse Israel will also reap their just rewards, and it won't be pretty!
Father, we pray for the peace and prosperity, protection, provision and safety for the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem - in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth! AMEN! Here is a picture of GOD'S city!
Shalom in Him!
