Into the Hand of the Heathen - Psalms 106:41

In Psalms one hundred six the Psalmist speaking of Moses said the people of Israel, “sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance”, and in chapter one hundred six and verse forty-one of Psalms the Psalmist shared how Jehovah God, “gave them into the hand of the heathen” where we read,

And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.

The verse begins, “And he gave them into the hand of the heathen;” The Psalmist began with the words, “and he gave them” or “and he, Jehovah God, set, put, bestowed and granted them, the people of Israel” “into the hand” which means “in the hand of power, might and strength” “of the heathen” or “belonging to the foreign, pagan and non-Hebrew people and nations”. The Psalmist referred to how Jehovah God allowed the pagan and foreign nations to overtake the people of Israel.

The verse goes on to say, “and they that hated them ruled over them.” The Psalmist continued with the words, “and they that hated them” or “and the people who were odious and as enemies to the people of Israel” “ruled over them” which means “had dominion, rule, reign and power over them, the people of Israel”. The Psalmist said the pagan foreign nations who were enemies to the people of Israel exercised power and dominion over them.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through the Psalmist the response of Jehovah God to the people of Israel rejecting Him, worshiping false idols and offering their children in sacrifice to them. God delivered them over to their enemies, and now their hating foes and adversaries had rule over them. What a loss this was. What a loss it is for anyone who chooses to serve and worship any other god than Jehovah God and His Son Jesus. God knows a relationship with Him is far better than any other, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind to prove it. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from the rule of pagan nations who serve gods other than Him.

Next time the Psalmist shares how Israel's, “enemies also oppressed them”, 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".