Personally I am enjoying our time in Psalm 78. I feel this Preacher has learned much in this historical overview of Israel’s history. From the Exodus to the reign of King David, what a critical span of time! That’s the focus of Psalm 78, Asaph’s longest Poem. He wrote 12 Psalms if you recall.

I am writing this lesson early Monday morning, January 18, 2016. Before daylight early! And our next segment of verses (usually however many verses as the Holy Spirit seems to guide me) is relatively short. I generally read through my morning text with you all … and proceed until something “jumps” to my attention, “warms” my heart, “excites” my mind.

This happened today in verses 59-60, again in Psalm 78. Here’s the thought, word for word, as expressed in the King James Version of the Bible:

“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.”

You might first ask, “Heard what?”

Heard of the disobedience of Israel.

Particularly of her idolatry!

Worshipping false Gods, lewd ones, in the heathen “high places” of the countryside.

Remember the Psalm’s previous few verses? How God had done so much for Israel, “good things” for His people! “He (the Lord) cast out the heathen (nations) also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. Yet they (the Jews) tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies. But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. For they provoked him to anger with their HIGH PLACES, and moved him to jealousy with their GRAVEN IMAGES.” Psalm 78:55-58

God became righteously “angry” when He saw what Israel had done, forsaking the God Who had so blessed her. Into Whose Hands she had placed herself, promising to live for Him, only for him!

That’s when Asaph told us: “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.”

Note God is not only “wroth” (in Hebrew “abar,” meaning “to leave them alone,” or  “to pass from their presence”) at Israel, but also “abhorred” them, “greatly!” The Hebrew verb “maas” means “to despise!” These people have “become loathsome” to God, making Him “sick!” Literally making him want to “vomit!”

Consequently, God “forsook” the Tabernacle of Israel, with “natash” meaning “to cast off, to leave alone!” By the way, God made the same threat to the Church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7. Precisely verse 5: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK out of his place, except thou repent.” They had left their “first love!”

Our text for today again: “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.”

The “tabernacle,” forerunner of the great Jewish Temple, utilizes the noun “mishkan,” a “dwelling place” where God can “settle down” and live among his people!

“Shiloh,” also meaning “place of rest,” is the location where the tabernacle was pitched for years, as Israel first approached the land of Canaan. Shiloh, where Joshua divided the land among the people, where Eli ministered (and died), where his sons lived so wickedly. Where Hannah prayed for a son. Where young Samuel was reared, first hearing the Voice of the Lord!

As Israel sinned there (more and more) … God began to withdraw!

Yes, there is a “price” to be paid for sin, even after one has met the Lord.

His Own children … can be chastened by His Mighty Hand!

As in Proverbs 3:11-12. “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

Wow!

In keeping with the truth of the Proverbs text I just shared … God became upset with Israel, because of her blatant sin! And he “left” the tabernacle He loved so dearly! As the scripture expresses elsewhere … “The glory departed!” I’m alluding to First Samuel 4:22, some of the saddest words in the Bible: “The glory is departed from Israel.”

May we be warned!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Oh, to live so as NOT to “grieve” the Holy Spirit of God! Not to “quench” His Warmth and Power! To enjoy His Presence and Glory each day we live!