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Day 178

Psalm 107:4a "They wandered in the wilderness..."

Day 178 – Psalm 107

“They wandered in the wilderness…” Psalm 107:4a

IN THE WILDERNESS

The phrase “in the wilderness” had a historic origin. The original reference was the time when the children of Israel spent forty years in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:15).

THE YEARS OF EXILE

Seventy years of exile was the period determined for errant Judah who had forsaken God and had chosen the path of wickedness! This was prophesied by Jeremiah the prophet (Jeremiah 25:11; 2 Chronicles 36:21). We have a description of those years in the following text.

“They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.”
Psalm 107:4-5

1. Similarity

There was great similarity with the experience of the children of Israel in the days of Moses.

a) Hunger was experienced.
b) Thirst was also experienced.
c) Their soul fainted in them.

2. Differences

a) They were looking for a city to dwell in.
b) They were not looking forward to the Promised Land.
i) They had been disinherited from the Promised Land of Canaan (Israel/Judah).
ii) They were now displaced in foreign soils.
iii) They were not easily accepted in these foreign lands.
iv) They could not settle in these foreign lands easily.
v) They felt desolate.

3. Significance

a) Perhaps Israel would now turn back to God humbly.
b) Perhaps they would now acknowledge the Lord as their merciful Covenant-God.