Psalm 78:62

Psalm 78:62

The fury of God

Let us remind ourselves once again, that this Psalm was written to be a parable. It recounts events from Israel’s past but with the hope that those who read it and digest it, will learn the lessons that the past has to teach them. 

In this instance we have a Holy Place at the centre of the nation’s affairs. The priests are fulfilling their function and have set up the Tabernacle and its contents at the heart of the tribes of Israel. The daily sacrifices, the Holy Days, the rituals and ceremonies and the God-given laws are being upheld and the land is prospering. But, over time, the faith of the people wanes, their prosperity makes them less dependent, the priests turn away from their duties and the religious heart of the nation is compromised. Instead of going to Shiloh, the people opt to go to the high places of sacrifice, built and used by the Canaanites. It is so much more convenient than a long trek to Shiloh which by now, all seems to be rather pointless and inconvenient.

It is these attitudes, prevalent also in the church to this very day, that make God angry. He withdraws His presence; the Holy Spirit cannot work in power amongst half-hearted worshippers. God’s anger leads Him to abandon the churches and to hand His people over to their enemies. Slowly, pagan influences and cultural changes are embraced. Rather than the ways of the Lord, people worship on the high places of the world and give little thought to the holy worship of the true God. We cannot say we believe in God and then live as if He does not exist. Neither can we pretend to be His followers for appearances sake, but in our hearts have countless other gods that have replaced Him. 

God views His chosen people as His inheritance, we are His treasure and His family, If we disregard the privileges of His protection, paternal love and provision, does He not have a right to be furious? 

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