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Senior Sunday School 4 : Psalms Book 3 : Psalm 78 : 18th June 2023

Text: Psalm 78
18 June 2023

SSS 4 18 June 2023
Book 3
Psalms 73-89

Text: Psalm 78 IV

26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens;
And by His power He brought in the south wind.

27 He also rained meat on them like the dust,
Feathered fowl like the sand of the seas;

28 And He let them fall in the midst of their camp,
All around their dwellings.

29 So they ate and were well filled,
For He gave them their own desire.

30 They were not deprived of their craving;
But while their food was still in their mouths,

31 The wrath of God came against them,
And slew the stoutest of them,
And struck down the choice men of Israel.

32 In spite of this they still sinned,
And did not believe in His wondrous works.

33 Therefore their days He consumed in futility,
And their years in fear.

34 When He slew them, then they sought Him;
And they returned and sought earnestly for God.

35 Then they remembered that God was their rock,
And the Most High God their Redeemer.

36 Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth,
And they lied to Him with their tongue;

37 For their heart was not steadfast with Him,
Nor were they faithful in His covenant.

38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity,
And did not destroy them.
Yes, many a time He turned His anger away,
And did not stir up all His wrath;

39 For He remembered that they were but flesh,
A breath that passes away and does not come again.

Psalm 78:26-39

1. The Provision of Meat (Quails)

26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens;
And by His power He brought in the south wind.

27 He also rained meat on them like the dust,
Feathered fowl like the sand of the seas;

28 And He let them fall in the midst of their camp,
All around their dwellings.

29 So they ate and were well filled,
For He gave them their own desire.

30 They were not deprived of their craving;
But while their food was still in their mouths,

31 The wrath of God came against them,
And slew the stoutest of them,
And struck down the choice men of Israel.

Psalm 78:26-31

a) God’s provision for the children of Israel
i) Great power was involved
ii) Meat was given in abundance

 

b) The desire/ craving for meat
i) The children of Israel were not deprived
ii) They were given more than they could wish for
iii) But this may not be fully appreciated!
c) God’s grace and mercy were clearly displayed
d) The slaying of some of the children of Israel
i) These were “stout men”
ii) These were “the choice men of Israel”

REASONS FOR THE SLAYING OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

32 In spite of this they still sinned,
And did not believe in His wondrous works.

33 Therefore their days He consumed in futility,
And their years in fear.

34 When He slew them, then they sought Him;
And they returned and sought earnestly for God.

35 Then they remembered that God was their rock,
And the Most High God their Redeemer.

36 Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth,
And they lied to Him with their tongue;

37 For their heart was not steadfast with Him,
Nor were they faithful in His covenant.

Psalm 78:32-37

a) They continued in their unbelief
b) They continued in their arrogant and complaining spirit
c) They did not acknowledge God in any significant way
Though they “remembered God”
d) They continued with their lies
e) Their hearts were not steadfast
f) They were not faithful to the Covenant given to them

GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO HIS PEOPLE

38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity,
And did not destroy them.
Yes, many a time He turned His anger away,
And did not stir up all His wrath;

39 For He remembered that they were but flesh,
A breath that passes away and does not come again.

Psalm 78:38-39

1. The Compassion of God

2. Forgiveness offered

3. Turning away of anger

4. Did not stir up wrath

5. God acknowledged the make-up of man

a) He is but dust
b) He passes away
c) Death is so final when man is concerned