We come today to the third section of Psalm 105, verses 23-36. This section reviews the time of Israel in Egypt, where “Jacob lived as an alien … the LORD made His people very fruitful – too numerous for their foes” (verses 23-24). The Egyptians grew to hate the Israelites and to conspire against them. Thus, God sent Moses and Aaron. In verses 27-36, the Psalmist reviews the plagues that God performed against Egypt – darkness (verse 28); He turned the water into blood (verse 29); frogs (verse 30); swarms of flies and gnats (verse 31); hail on their vines and fig trees (verse 32); locusts and grasshoppers (verse 34); and the striking down of all the firstborn of Egypt (verse 36). The Psalmist wants his readers to know about, remember, and celebrate the greatness and goodness of God toward His people Israel. The entire Psalm contains excellent reminders for us to apply and continue to work into our Christian lives moment by moment. Tomorrow, we will consider the last section of this great Psalm.
Today, we pick up again with Isaiah 5, and in verse 8, we read a warning – “Woe to those in Israel who “add house to house and field to field.” Chapter 5 contains six “Woes,” each of which addresses the major sins of Israel at that time. Here, Isaiah is condemning the peoples’ greed and covetousness for material things, and in subsequent verses, he denounces their interests in drinking, carousing, partying, and drunkenness without any “regard for the LORD or any respect for the work of His hands” (verses 8-12). For their conduct, Isaiah declares that the “people will go into exile” (verse 13), and “the appetite of the grave will enlarge and receive their nobles, brawlers, and revelers” (verse 14). Isaiah proclaims additional “woes” against mocking the plan of God (verses 18-19); another “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (verse 20). Today, we are witnesses of this evil philosophy which grips our present culture. People often refer to everything good as evil, and it seems that everything evil has become fashionable. Calling evil good and good evil is the worst kind of sin because it attempts to deny or alter reality, the consequences of which are absolutely deadly. Isaiah follows this with two other warnings: “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes” (verse 21), and “Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and acquitting the guilty for a bribe” (verses 22-23). In chapter 6, we see Isaiah’s call to prophetic service – “in the year that King Uzziah died” (verse 1). In chapter 7, we see Judah confronted by the kings of Aram and Israel, but Isaiah is instructed by the Lord to tell Ahaz that “it will not happen” (verse 7). Here, we see the amazing, prophetic, and messianic sign that “the Lord Himself” gives to Ahaz – “the virgin will be with child … and will call Him Immanuel” (verse 14). To deny the virgin birth is to deny the very Word of the Lord Himself.
In 2 Corinthians 7:2-16, we see how heartfelt Paul’s concern was for the Corinthian believers. He was comforted by the coming of Titus and his news that the Corinthians “longed with sorrow and ardent concern for Paul” (verse 7). As a missionary, I have experienced reunions such as the one that Paul described with Titus. After a long period of absence, when God allows the renewal of fellowship – especially with loved ones and very dear coworkers – those times are truly refreshing and particularly sweet. For me personally, the absolute worst possible result caused by sin in our fallen world is having to say goodbye to someone dearly loved – whether temporarily or forever. I can think of no greater heartbreak, and it seems to be a lifelong, professional requirement for missionaries. So Paul’s reunion with Titus becomes a glorious picture that represents the greatest of all reunions – when we shall meet again with our loved ones on that distant and beautiful shore in the presence of our Lord.
Comments