Psalms 106

Israel Rebelled @ the Red Sea

Israel had been held captive as slaves to Egypt for over 400 years. The oppression got to the point that the Israelites cried out to God for deliverance. God rose Moses up to lead them out of captivity. God sent 10 plagues on the nation of Egypt to have Pharaoh release his people. It worked and Pharaoh released the Israelites. Moses led them into the wilderness and they got pinned in by Pharoah’s army and the Red Sea.

The Israelites lost faith in God’s deliverance and began to attack Moses. They told Moses that they would have been better off in Egypt rather than be killed by the Egyptians. They knew that they would be decimated by Pharaoh's army. But God was going to show His power once again to the Egyptians and Israel.

He parted the Red Sea so that Israel could walk through on dry ground and destroy Pharaoh’s army.

The psalmist writes “nevertheless” God saved them for His names sake. I find this interesting in that the Nation of Israel should have been judged and destroyed for their lack of faith in God. But God delivered them for His names sake. This means the deliverance was not primarily fro the benefit of the nation of Israel, it was to demonstrate the power of God to all the world. Exodus 14:1-4

Exodus 14:1–4 NASB95

Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. “For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ “Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.

The way the Lord was honored was by destroying the most powerful military force in the world with one swift action.

America’s rebellion

he US is the most blessed nation in all the world. I believe that it is so because of the founding Fathers faith and dedication to “One Nation Under God.” They had a vision of a country that would live under the kingship of Christ.

Our nation has had a good history. It is not perfect, but it is good. I believe that the Lord is sending warning signs to us today much like he sent plagues on the nation of Israel. The most memorable time I recall this being a reality is on September 11, 2001 when our country was attacked by radical Muslims. This is the first time foreign adversaries posed a threat on American soil. The following weekend many people went to church because they didn’t know how to handle the situation. Soon after the churches were empty again. I am mindful of the many natural disasters that are happening in the United States. Then COVID hit not only the US but the entire world. Now our economy seems to be going in a terrible direction. Could God be trying to get our attention to put our Faith in Jesus.

I believe so, but instead of turning to Jesus we tend to cast blame on one another for why we are the way we are. We need to cry out to God and have faith in Jesus for the restoration of our nation.

Israel Rebelled in the Wilderness

After God rescued the Nation of Israel they got hungry in the desert and began to complain to Moses that God didn’t care about them. They believed that they were going to starve to death. They did not trust the provision of God. God gave them food to eat, but also sent a plague on them for their lack of trust in God. Numbers 11:31-34

Numbers 11:31–34 NASB95

Now there went forth a wind from the Lord and it brought quail from the sea, and let them fall beside the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp and about two cubits deep on the surface of the ground. The people spent all day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers) and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very severe plague. So the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had been greedy.

The people were not satisfied in the provision of the Lord and began to complain that they didn’t have any meat. God gave them what they wanted and something they needed. The want was the meat and the need was the plague.

America’s Greed

People in America have an abundance, however it never seems to be enough. So many people have more than enough and still are not satisfied. They want more and more and will do almost anything to get it.

We need to learn to be satisfied with what the Lord has provided and be thankful for it. Philippians 4:11-12

Philippians 4:11–12 NASB95

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

Contentment in what we have is what pleases the Lord.

Israel’s Rebellion In Leadership

God chose Moses and Arron to lead the nation of Israel. There were some that didn’t like the way they were leading, so they recruited a group of people to rebell against God’s chosen. This group was led by Korah, Dathan, and Abriam.

Moses tried to tell them that they were making a mistake and put them to the test. Moses told them that the ground would open up and they would be consumed. Numbers 16:31-32

Numbers 16:31–32 NASB95

As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open; and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah with their possessions.

America’s Complaining

There is a lot of complaining against the leadership of our country and less praying for the leaders of our country. There is probably reason to complain, but it makes no difference in how the leaders lead. However, when we pray for our leaders, it does make a difference in the way they lead.

Israel’s Rebellion in Worship

When Moses delayed in his trip on the mountain the people got impatient and asked Arron for another god. He fashioned a golden calf out of their jewelry. He then set an alter before it and the people of Israel worshiped it.

God told Moses to return to the people. God was going to kill all of Israel for their sin. Moses interceded on their behalf and God relented his punishment on Israel.

America’s Worship

The gods of America seem to be money, sex and power. These are false gods that many Americans worship. God will not tolerate these false gods and will ultimately punish those who choose to worship these false gods.

Israel’s Ultimate Rebellion

Numbers 25:1–4 NASB95

While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the Lord was angry against Israel. The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.”

Ultimately the people of Israel rejected God and turned to what they desired. They intermarried with a people group that opposed God and had false gods. The people of Israel rejected the one true God and joined themselves to Baal.

What will America’s Ultimate rebellion be?