In spite of this they still sinned, and did not believe in His wondrous works. Therefore their days He consumed in futility, and their years in fear. (Psalm 78:32-33)
In the verses just prior to this, the psalmist recounted how God gave the people flesh to eat per their request. He orchestrated the winds to guide quail toward their camp in the wilderness and then caused them to fall in the midst of their dwellings (Psalm 78:28). In literal fashion, God delivered their meal directly to their doorstep. In spite of this meticulous care, the people’s desires were not satisfied and they continued to sin. They continued in unbelief, doubting that the One who had delivered them from Egyptian bondage was capable of finishing the job.
This is why God gave them over to futility and fear — and, eventually, death. Even after witnessing His great and wondrous works, they refused to believe that God would finish what He started. And so it was that very few of those who left Egypt actually saw the land of Canaan. Their doubt and fears became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Think of it this way: most of those who witnessed how the plagues of Egypt decimated their task masters did not see the promise fulfilled. Most of those who walked through the sea never made it to Canaan. Those who ate angel’s bread and drank the miraculous waters that flowed from a split rock ended their days wandering in the wilderness.
Think of it: the Presence of God was continually in their midst; His Glory was visible to them every day, yet they gave in to their own lusts and desires. The point is that not all who have witnessed God’s wondrous works of the past will have the faith needed to hang on long enough to see the fulfillment of His purpose. Not everyone who starts out on this journey will see it through to the end. As it is written, “He who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13); those who persevere are the ones will receive “the prize of the upward call of God in Messiah Yeshua” (Philippians 3:14).
So then, let us not repeat the mistakes made by those who followed Moses through the wilderness. Rather, let us learn from their mistakes and remain steadfast in our commitment to follow the Lord to and through whatever He has for us. If we do, we will not be disappointed or brought to shame.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments