Just one verse today, Psalm 78, verse 58. Watch for its “theme,” mentioned twice in these few words. “For they provoked Him to anger with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their graven images.” The Jews both “provoked” God and “moved Him to jealousy.” Major mistakes!

How did they accomplish such a disaster?

With idols or idol worship, twice mentioned as well … in a single sentence! That’s certainly the “theme” of which I speak.

Worshipping other gods!

I think today some “defend” such folly. “Individual freedom,” or “freedom of expression” or maybe even “freedom of religion” or an individual simply “expressing his ego,” they call it.

But, for his children, God expressly commanded: “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3, the first of His so-called Ten Commandments.

The verb “provoked” in today’s verse is fully translated “provoked to anger,” spelled “kaas” in Hebrew. It means “to grieve, to make sorry.” The corollary verb “moved to jealousy” is “qana,” meaning “to be zealous, excited to the point of fury!”

I again ask, “Why?”

Because she (Israel) visited “high places.” Raised hills or mountains where the “best” of the land was (sinfully) set apart for some sort of idol worship. Praying to false gods, and cavorting sensually often, under the guise of worship.

And because of her “graven images,” the stock Old Testament name for those idols. The noun is “pesiyl.” The term is 3 times translated “carved images” in the Old Testament. Made out of rock, in this case.

May I make an announcement?

GOD IS JEALOUS, AND RIGHTLY SO.

He created us.

He, at least in that sense, owns us too.

He thus expects (a weak word here) our adoration and thanks and veneration.

Our worship.

Not to properly esteem Him … results (immediately or ultimately) in judgment, punishment, discipline, chastening from His Righteous hand.

Even in the New Testament Jesus said: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37

Good advice!

God is worthy of all our worship!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell