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. But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow”, and in chapter seventy-eight and verse fifty-eight of Psalms Asaph said the people, “provoked him to anger with their high places” where we read,
For they provoked him to anger with their high places,
and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
The verse begins, “For they provoked him to anger with their high places, ...” Asaph began with the words, “for they provoked him to anger” or “because, since and on account that they, the people of Israel, angered, vexed, grieved and became indignant toward him, Jehovah God, unto wrath” “with their high places” which means “by the use and means of their, the people of Israel's, bamahs (the technical name for cultic platforms) elevated locations and mountain places of worship”. Asaph said the people of Israel angered and vexed Jehovah God because they had elevated locations and mountains upon which they worshiped other gods.
The verse goes on to say, “... and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.” Asaph continued with the words, “and moved him to jealousy” or “and caused him, Jehovah God, to be envious and zealous” “with their graven images” which means “by the use of their idols and quarried representation”. Asaph said the people of Israel caused Jehovah God to be moved to “jealousy” because they made and fashioned idols and quarried representations of other gods.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Asaph what angers Jehovah God and makes Him “jealous” on behalf of people. Jehovah God is not “jealous” of us, but for us, and He wants to be the only God in our lives. He knows all other substitutes to Him are vain and will cause us harm in this life and the life to come. He demonstrated His commitment to us by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of the world, and when we yield ourselves to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and be the only God we will ever follow, worship and obey. Let us give honor, glory and praise to the Only Most High God and His Son Jesus Christ for their glorious provision for us.
Next time Asaph says, “when God heard this, he was wroth”, 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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