In Psalms chapter seventy-eight Asaph reminded the people of Israel when they journeyed through the wilderness how Jehovah God, “led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased. He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies”, and in chapter seventy-eight and verse fifty-seven of Psalms Asaph shared how the people, “turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers” where we read,
But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
The verse begins, “But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers:” Asaph began with the words, “but turned back” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover backslid, proved recreant and were repulsed”, “and dealt unfaithfully” which means “and acted treacherously, deceitfully, offensively and unfaithfully” “like their fathers” or “in a similar manner and likeness to their, the people of Israel's, progenitors, ancestors and fore-fathers”. Asaph said the people of Israel proved recreant and acted unfaithfully in the same manner as their fore-fathers.
The verse continues, “they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.” Asaph added the words, “they were turned aside” or “they, the people of Israel, were overthrown, overturned, perverse and transformed” “like a deceitful bow” which means “in a similar manner to a lax, slack and treacherous bow used for hunting or battle”. Asaph said the people of Israel were as overturned and perverse like a hunting or battle bow that was slackened, lax and inaccurate.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the people of Israel continued to act in a manner that was repulsive and unfaithful to God like their fore-fathers before them. They were as useless as a hunting or battle bow that had slack in it's string and was unable to launch an arrow accurately. God's desire was to have a relationship with the people of Israel based upon faith in Him, and they refused His offer over and over again. God wants a relationship with us, and He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to keep faithful to Him and His commitment to us.
Next time Asaph says the people, “provoked him to anger with their high places”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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