Psalm 44:22

Psalm 44:22

Sheep to be slaughtered

We have, in this verse, a great example of prophetic symmetry (my description), in that the words here have a relevance in the day that they were written, they point forward to Christ, they were used by Paul in describing the church and they are just as relevant today. In other words, just as the world does not change in its attitudes to God and His people, so God’s Word does not change in its relevance and application to those who belong to Him. 

·      Israel has always suffered the hostility of the nations, like no other people the Jews have been persecuted and slaughtered by their enemies. 

·      And Isaiah used very descriptive language of the Lord Jesus when he wrote, “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7.

·      Jesus hinted at the slaughter that He would cause when He said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34.

·      In Romans, Paul writes about the troubles, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger and sword that would be the lot of those who follow Christ and he then quotes from this Psalm, “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Romans 8:35-36.

Those who serve the living God and who love Jesus should not compromise their faith. But, in so doing they offend the world, and many have paid with their lives. We thank God for peace but know that persecution and hardship are still in the world and could come to us too. In fact, some believers are “facing death all day long” right now. Pray for them.

 

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