In Psalms chapter seventy-eight Asaph reminded the people of Israel when they journeyed through the wilderness how they “provoked” God, “to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images. When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel. So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men. And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand. He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance”, and in chapter seventy-eight and verse sixty-three of Psalms Asaph said, “the fire consumed their young men”, where we read,
The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
The verse begins, “The fire consumed their young men;” Asaph began with the words, “the fire consumed” or “the supernatural hot flames devoured, burned up and slayed” “their young men” which means “their, the people of Israel's, youthful or virgin male human beings”. Asaph said Jehovah God's supernatural hot flames devoured the youthful males among the people of Israel. (See Deuteronomy 32)
The verse continues, “and their maidens were not given to marriage.” Asaph added the words, “and their maidens” or “and their, the people of Israel's, female virgins or maids” “were not given to marriage” which means “were unable to shine, celebrate or be commended in becoming a bride in matrimony or wedlock”. Asaph said the judgment of Jehovah God upon the people of Israel also prevented their young maids from entering matrimony.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Asaph how the young men and women among the people of Israel were affected by the judgment of Jehovah God. There was no discrimination for those who were older or younger when the people of Israel forsook Jehovah God and worshiped “graven images” in “high places”. God provide the only way to have a personal relationship with Him when He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. As we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins and grant us everlasting life. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me” (See John 14:6), and there is no other way to gain access to God. God wants a loving relationship with us, but if we refuse His “way”, His judgment will fall, and men and women both old and young will not be able to escape it.
Next time Asaph says, “their priests fell by the sword”, 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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