THE PILGRIM JOURNEY
Psalm 105: 23-45
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A PRESBYTERIAN PSALTER - by Pastor Max A Forsythe |
One week in our local paper, the political cartoon Mallard Fillmore took the conservative duck into a trendy coffee bar where the food was not the only thing that was strange. Like a duck out of water, the character couldn't find anything worth eating or any subject worth discussing. Have you ever gotten into the wrong place or with the wrong crowd? Then you know what I mean. Sometimes its easy to get up and leave, other times it is not. We see somewhat the same experience written much larger in the story of Lot and later all Israel in Egypt and Judah in Babylon.
"Come out, come out of her" is the call of the Spirit sent through the prophets down through the pages of Scripture. This pilgrim call to come out is celebrated in the experiences of God's people in this particular psalm. We pick up the story of Israel's entry into Egypt in verse twenty-three. We should notice that God's descendants from Jacob remained aliens over the course of their stay. By this we should understand, that even while they may have been attracted to the comforts and luxuries of Egypt there was still after four hundred years some knowledge that Israel belonged to Abraham's God.
During their sojourn in Egypt, the Lord multiplied their numbers incredibly. The Egyptians became concerned with the large numbers of aliens in their midst. Look how verse twenty-five describes the providential planning of the Lord to demonstrate His control over the details of history as He works out the deliverance of His people Israel. In order to accomplish this plan, He brought Moses from the East to meet His brother Aaron. The brothers go on to forcibly demonstrate and prophetically call attention to God's glorious and miraculous signs among the Egyptians.
Verses twenty-eight to thirty-six detail the plagues that descended upon the Egyptians from the very hand of God the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The order here is not the same as that given elsewhere. The overwhelming darkness is mentioned first. Perhaps this spiritual order here demonstrates in the coming out of Egypt the biblical fact that those who dwelt in darkness have seen a great light in the providence of God Almighty. As we consider these events we should look carefully at the verbs which indicate that God Himself was with Israel. God Himself became their deliverer by striking at the very root of Egyptian confidence. Each of these events challenged the power of the Egyptian gods and even undermined the authority of Pharaoh.
The destruction of Egyptian first born may be seen in the theological context of Pharaoh's attempt to destroy the sons of Israel. For attempting that destruction, God brought judgment just as He destroyed the hopes and aspirations of the Jewish people when they crucified His only Son Jesus Christ centuries later.
The Hebrews, we are told, left burdened with the riches of Egypt. They also left in good health. The phrase in verse thirty-seven that "no one faltered" means that the people were well enough to be fit for military service. This is the exact meaning of the words. Here we learn that the Lord provided them their health in preparation for their journey. We may also learn from the book of Exodus that as Israel obeyed the Lord, they could avoid the affliction of the diseases of Egypt.
As we continue in verse thirty-eight, we are told that the Egyptians were finally happy to be rid of Israel. Israel's God had seen to this desire through the plagues which rocked Egypt. This same God who terrorized the Egyptians providentially provided for His own people. There are five provisions worth noting. First, the people were covered by the cloud which indicated the very presence of Israel's God in their very midst. Second, the fire of His presence enlightens even the physical darkness of the night. Both of these provisions witness to the miraculous means used by God throughout the lives of this generation of Israel. Third, even though we know of the complaints recorded in Exodus we see in verse forty that God answered their need for meat in the annual migration of quail through the Sinai. Even today, these routes are still used. Of course the Divine providence of the Almighty should be noted in His timely provision of bringing people and quail together at just the appropriate time. Fourth, the miraculous arrangement for the provision of the people is emphasized in the giving of the bread of heaven at the same time. Fifth, in the region of Horeb the desert rock was opened and the streams of water gushed out to provide the people and their livestock.
In verse forty-two we find the reason for these miracles given by the hand of God. "He remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham." This verse refers back to Genesis 15: 13-14 where we find these words: "Then the Lord said to [Abraham], 'Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.'" This was God's promise to Abraham which was realized by Abraham's descendants within the providential planning of God. Our Psalm reports the the people came out with rejoicing, and shouts of joy.
The long slavery was ended, payment in gold, jewelry and precious stones were shoved into their hands as they were hustled out of Egypt. In time their children were given the lands of the pagan nations in Palestine. The wandering tribesmen finally came into possession of the towns, cities and farms of the hill tribes in Canaan. There was a Divine purpose to these goings on. God would have a people of His own. This last verse in this Psalm explains the practical design of God's providence. The chosen nation is to conserve the truth, be an example of morality and show the pattern of devotion. The whole plan of redemption and settling in the promised land was so ordered to give them advantageous circumstances to fulfill their trust.
Theirs, just as ours, was a high calling and a glorious election. It involved great responsibilities. Israel was to be a light to the nations, a lamp on the hill. To that light was to be attracted men and women from every tribe and nation. However, in time, the leaders of Israel betrayed that trust. They even crucified Jesus Christ.
Out of Israel the Lord gathered His true Church to worship His own Son. To that Church we have been called and through Jesus Christ we have been saved. And for what purpose have we been saved? Do we have to ask? If we are the new Israel we must be a light to the nations in our own time! As we read of Israel's experience, as we consider the Divine salvation furnished us through the blood of the New Covenant, can we answer the call of this Psalm? There it is in the last phrase: "Praise the Lord"!
May the grace of God enable us to see His light so that we to may "Praise the Lord" and thus by our praise enlighten our time and nation. Amen.
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Resources Used: |
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Alexander, Joseph. |
Commentary on Psalms. | |
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Kidner, Dekek. |
Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms. | |
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Spurgeon, C.H. |
The Treasury of David. | |
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IBS: The Holy Bible, New International Version (1984) | ||
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Psm 105e |
09 April 95 | |