Psalm 106:24-35

God’s Blessings in Spite of Israel’s Unfaithfulness

Yea, they despised the pleasant land, when they rebelled after the report of the spies had been received, Num. 13 and 14, they believed not His word, Heb. 3, 18, v. 25. but murmured in their tents, Num. 14, 1-4, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord. V. 26. Therefore He lifted up His hand against them to overthrow them in the wilderness, v. 27. to overthrow their seed also among the nations, dispersing them with the effect of destroying their national identity, and to scatter them in the lands, a fate which Moses then averted, but which later struck the northern-tribes. Compare Deut. 9, 23-26.

Another occasion is now cited. V. 28. They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, Num. 25, in the immoral worship introduced by the Moabites, and ate the sacrifices of the dead, so called because the idols are dead, lifeless nothingnesses, as they are sometimes designated. V. 29. Thus they provoked Him to anger with their inventions,with their idolatrous and immoral doings; and the plague brake in upon them, Num. 25, 8. 9.

V. 30. Then stood up Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, and executed judgment, by summarily putting to death two flagrant malefactors; and so the plague was stayed. V. 31. And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations forevermore, Num. 25, 11-13; for his deed was an act of faith and received the reward of faith. Still another event is here listed.

V. 32. They angered Him also at the waters of strife, at Meribah and Massa, Num. 20, 3. 13, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes, his disgust causing him to give way to doubt, at least for a moment, v. 33. because they provoked His Spirit, resisting and grieving the Spirit of the Lord, Ps. 78, 17. 40. 56, so that he, Moses, spake unadvisedly with his lips, thereby forfeiting his right to enter the Promised Land, Deut. 1, 37; 3, 26. Israel’s disobedience continued even after they had taken possession of Canaan.

V. 34. They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them, Deuteronomy 7, 2. 16; Ex. 23, 32-34, v. 35. but were mingled among the heathen, permitting them to live in their midst and in many cases intermarrying with them, and learned their works. Compare Judges 1 and 2.