My fourth blog intends to illustrate how reading about the trials of the Israelites, in the Old Testament of the Bible, can be of benefit to Jews (and Gentiles); as the Israelites relationship with G-d teaches the importance of trusting in Him, obeying Him and following His commandments. I will also use an example from my own life; of how His Word is teaching me to learn from the Israelites. And finally I will discuss my perspective on one reason I believe the Messiah was given as a gift to the Jews (and to the world) by G-d.
This blog came about as I was recently searching the Bible application on my iPad for Psalms of Praise. I am learning the importance of praising G-d, and I came across Psalm 106 in my search. I was amazed how this Psalm had spoken to me (as G-d’s Word often does) about something I was struggling with that day. In reading about the Israelites, we can discern how the anxiety and uncertainty of their lives led them, at times, to turn to man made idols as substitutes for G-d. The anxiety and uncertainty in the present day (even before the pandemic) often leads modern man to turn to different types of idols. Today’s idols come in many shapes and sizes; drugs, people, things, food, appearance and success. These things are very tempting, as the world is empty without G-d; and when we give into these things, we often invite more distress. I speak of experience and know how it is to focus on things or people as a substitute for G-d.
We will first look at the verses in Psalm 106 to discover the lessons the Israelites can teach us about staying on G-d’s righteous path. The title of Psalm 106 in the New American Standard Bible Version is “Israel’s Rebelliousness and the L-rd’s Deliverance.” This title illustrates how G-d so loves His people; even in their fallenness, and about G-d’s promise, He will deliver them from sin. His faithfulness is why the Psalmist gives thanks to the L-rd for His love as in the first verse of the Psalm, “Praise the L-rd, Oh Give thanks to the L-rd, for He is good: For His lovingkindness is everlasting” (NASB). Like the Israelites, modern man also has a propensity to sin; and despite this, He loves us too and promises us He will deliver us and forgive us of our sins. We need this verse’s reminder of who G-d is, because in the flesh, we can forget how much He loves us. And when we forget Him, we are more persuaded to give into temptation. The Psalmist asks in verse 5 that “His people may see the prosperity of their chosen ones. And that may they have glory in His inheritance (the covenant).” G-d ’s character is loyal and He will remember His promises to His people; and this verse teaches us He will remember us.
Verses 6 through 46 of Psalm 106 describes how the Israelites sinned against G-d and how He forgives them and rescues them, however, it also describes how the Israelites forget His promises and what He has done for them. Verses 6 and 7 admits to our sinful nature and how it is passed on to generations, “We have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, and behaved wickedly. Our Fathers in Egypt did not understand your wonders; they did not remember your abundant kindnesses but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.” Verses 8 and 9 remind us we have a faithful G-d, “Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, that He might make His power known. Thus He rebuked the Red Sea and it dried up.” In verse 10, “G-d saved them from the hand of the one who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.” And in verse 12, “Then they (the Israelites) believed His words, and they sang His praise.” In this verse they were able to remember who He was and His goodness but verse 13 says “The Israelites quickly forgot His works. They did not wait for His counsel.” There seems to be a pattern here of the Israelites failure to trust in G-d, and lack of faith can be a stumbling block in our own lives too.
Verse 14 is very important as it is a warning to human beings about the power of temptation, “But they craved intensely in the wilderness. And tempted G-d in the desert.” Here we see how human craving can lead to sin when it causes us to focus on our own needs rather than focusing on G-d and His goodness. The Israelites in verse 14 were focused on wanting the “better food” they ate in Egypt, rather than on G-d and the gift He was offering them. Perhaps the “better food” was an idol to them as they were not appreciating G-d’s provision of food. I wonder too if the desire for “better food” was because they were feeling emotionally empty (this void can only be filled by G-d and not in having “better food”). In any case, we have to remember that our cravings can cause us to ignore G-d and to forget about His grace; He is the answer to what is missing in our lives.
The next verses of Psalm 106, illustrates there are consequences to our sins. The consequences of our sins in modern day life, may not be as life-threatening as they were in Biblical times; but we will have consequences. Their lives were threatened in ancient times because G-d was trying to guide the Israelites to be Holy, as an example to other nations, and to show Himself as omnipresent. These verses also show how emotions can cause us to act in ways that are not of G-d. In verses 16 to 20, we see the consequences of the Israelites envy and distraction with things of the world, “When they became envious of Moses in the camp and of Aaron, the Holy one of the L-rd, the earth opened up and swallowed up Dathan, And engulfed the company of Abiram. And a fire blazed up in their company and the flame consumed the wicked. They made a calf in Horeb and worshipped a molten image. Thus they exchanged their glory for the image of an ox that eats grass.” Verse 21 says “they forgot G-d their Savior. Who had done great things in Egypt, wonders in the land of Ham and awesome things by the Red Sea.” To reiterate the consequences of the Israelites teach us we should not try to meet our own needs outside of G-d. And they also teach us we need to remember the many blessing G-d has given us, because as human beings we are always wanting more.
As I shared, I will give an example from my own life of how I learned from reading about the Israelites in Psalm 106; in this case about temptation and G-d’s forgiveness. My day started well yesterday, however, I noticed I was having the day after birthday blues. I was experiencing regret and as a result I was feeling restless. It is not easy to sit with restlessness, and in my experience when emotions are swept under the rug, they can lead to giving into temptation. As a result, I went online and did some “window shopping,” (this is something I try to do in limited amounts as I can get very stressed from internet surfing), and I ended up spending way too much time on the internet. Afterwards, I did not feel the peace of G-d I talk about in my earlier blogs. I actually was feeling angry and dissatisfied. So what happened in this situation that reminded me of the Israelites? I had forgotten about G-d in my day, as the Israelites did, “they quickly forgot His works.” My keeping my eyes off the L-rd lead me to try to fill the void of what was missing. I was looking for something outside of myself to fill me up (therefore looked online for too long), rather than G-d. And when we are looking for meaning in things or people, which I was doing, this is something that can lead to acting out to fill the void (as the Israelites may have been doing when they were craving “better food). There is nothing wrong with looking on the internet, but for me it depends on my intention, I have to make sure that I am not using things (in this case) as a way to fill me up (as this never works) but I have to first go to G-d to fill up any emptiness or void.
So can we get over these temptations on our own? I believe at times we can, but a lot of temptations are hard wired, and as I stated I would discuss one reason why I believe G-d gave the world the Messiah; it is for the reason that we cannot get over those ingrained temptations on our own and need the help the Messiah offers. Once I realized I was using internet surfing as a way to fill me up, I repented of my sin, and asked for the Messiah to help me, I felt His forgiveness and His peace. I have found the only answer for what is missing in my life is the peace and love of G-d through the Messiah. When I look to Him, He frees me from my sins and my “idolatry.” Now I want to add, this is not done overnight but is a constant work with His help. Furthermore, to those of us who feel depressed, repenting may not immediately give us peace and take away depression, and as a therapist and a human being, I know this is not always the case. And that is where therapy can be helpful, and also having faith in G-d.
In summary, we can thank G-d for the experiences of the Israelites because they show us, that G-d is good, and teach us to remember His deeds, and ask His help in obeying His commandments. It is a gift from G-d we have a Messiah that can forgive our sins and help us with our temptations, and lead us to peace. Therefore, G-d is a very faithful and loyal G-d and worthy of so much praise. Hallelujah. He promises to redeem us, and in verses 47 to 48 of Psalm 106, the Psalmist asks the L-rd to “save us and gather us among the nations.” Indeed it is prophesied in Isaiah and other places in the Old Testament, the L-rd will keep His covenant with the descendants of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Therefore, He will return (in the end of days) the descendants of the House of Israel to the land of Israel.
I ask, as I have before, that you pray to G-d about whether there is a Messiah and for Him to show you the truth. Do not take my word for it, but G-d will show you if you seek Him. I also want to say I believe G-d will hear our prayers if we do not believe in the Messiah, the advantage of the Messiah is that His Spirit (something I have not shared a lot about yet) will give us much needed comfort and peace. And we need His support in these days, as we are living in difficult times.