Psalm 78:34-39
“Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant. Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.”
The Psalm before us is altogether historical; yet may it be called one great parable. It is, in fact, so called by the Psalmist himself; and the very words by which he designates this composition are quoted by the Evangelist as fulfilled, when our blessed Lord spoke to the people in parables, and in parables exclusively. Compare verse 2 with Matthew 13:35.
The truth is, that the whole account of the redemption of Israel from Egypt, with their preservation in the wilderness, and their final establishment in the land of Canaan, is typical of man’s redemption through Christ, and of the final salvation of all God’s chosen people. It is not unlike the parable of the Prodigal Son; and, unless we view it in this light, and read in it the great concerns of our own souls, we have no just conception of its true import.
As a record of the most important events in the Jewish history, the writer of it might justly urge the importance of transmitting it with care, and teaching it with diligence, to all succeeding generations, verses 3-6; but, as a vehicle of spiritual instruction, it is of inestimable value, not to Jews only, but to Gentiles also, and ought to be studied with care by every man.
We shall not now enter into a minute illustration of this truth, because it would occupy far more of your attention than could be allotted to one—but a general view of the subject will be brought before us, while we notice the conduct of the Israelites towards God, and his forbearance towards them, or, in other words:
I. The extent of the wickedness of the Israelites.
They were continually provoking God to anger.
They were from the beginning “a rebellious and obstinate people.” Never would they pay any regard to God, until they were constrained to do so by his chastening rod. In vain were his mercies multiplied unto them; they overlooked them all, and “forgot all the wonders” of his love and mercy, verse 11. Dissatisfied with what he gave them for their subsistence, notwithstanding it was “angels’ food,” they lusted after things which were in no respect necessary for their well-being, verse 18-25. And when they had provoked God to punish them for their ungrateful murmurings, instead of being reclaimed by his chastisements, “they only sinned yet more against him! verse 17, 32.” When, in consequence of their obstinacy, these chastisements became more severe, and no way of deliverance was found but by their turning unto God, they pretended to return unto him; but it was a mere pretense. They called to remembrance his past interpositions in their favor, and professed to acknowledge him as their Redeemer and their God; but they only “flattered him” with titles, which excited no corresponding opinions in their hearts, and “lied unto him” with vows, which they never intended to perform. They pretended to lay hold on “his covenant;” but they would “not be steadfast in it, or perform any of the engagements which it entailed upon them.”
And what is this, but a history of ourselves also?
In our prosperity, we care nothing about God, “he is not in all our thoughts.” But under some heavy calamity we begin to lay to heart our former transgressions, and to inquire after God. This is common, especially in sickness, and at the expected approach of death, Isaiah 26:16 and Hosea 5:15. Then we can bear to hear of God, and of Christ; yes, we apply to God as our Father, and to Christ as our Redeemer; we acknowledge with apparent gratitude all that they have done for us; and profess a dependence on them for all that we stand in need of.
Yet in the midst of all these professions there is no true contrition, no real self-abhorrence, no fixed determination to give up ourselves unreservedly to God. We approach our God indeed, but it is “with flattery and lies! Hosea 11:12.” We profess much love to him, and much delight in that covenant which he has made with us in Christ Jesus; but “our hearts are not right with him, neither are we steadfast in his covenant.” This appears from our speedy return to worldliness and vanity, as soon as ever the judgment is removed from us. We are like metal taken out of the furnace, which, however liquefied, soon returns to its original hardness. Our relentings possibly have been renewed either under the ministry of the Word, or by some fresh calamity; but, after all, like Pharaoh, we have only verified that humiliating description of the Apostle, “we have returned again with the dog to his vomit; and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
These rebellions however against their God only gave occasion for displaying:
II. The extent of his mercy.
Many times did he forgive them.
Often, through the greatness of their provocations, did he lift up his hand to destroy them in the wilderness; but he forbore to execute upon them the judgments they deserved. “He remembered that they were but flesh, or as a wind that passes away, and comes not again;” and, if he should give vent to his indignation against them, they must inevitably, and irremediably perish!
In the same way, he has dealt with us.
“How oft have we provoked him, and grieved him by our transgressions! verse 40.” Yet on every fresh occasion he has shown himself “slow to anger and of great kindness.” Let every one think with himself how many seasons there have been, when, in heart at least, if not in act—we have exceeded our usual measure of wickedness, and when he might have cut us off, so to speak, with advantage, and made us signal monuments of his displeasure. Yet he has borne with us, and not allowed his whole displeasure to arise. He has, thus far at least, “forgiven us;” and, in answer to the intercessions of our great High Priest, he has spared the barren fig-tree, revoking the order for its removal, and renewing, for its preservation, all the means which have hitherto been used in vain.
Of God’s mercy we are all living monuments; from time to time he has said concerning us, “How shall I give you up? Hosea 11:7-9.” “Will you not be made clean? when shall it once be? Jeremiah 13:27.” Yes, we must all bear witness for him, that the only reason of our not having been long since “consumed, is because his compassions never fail.”
See, then:
1. What improvement we should make of afflictive providences.
What the Jews professed to do, we should do in reality. God sends afflictions for this end; and, if they produce this blessed effect, we shall have reason to be thankful for them.
2. What, under all circumstances, should be the chief object of our attention.
The Jews failed, because “their heart was not right with God.” Let us look to this, that we indulge not hypocrisy in our hearts. If we call God our God, and our Redeemer—then let our eyes be to him as our only, and our all-sufficient Help!
Charles Simeon