Treating God Poorly

Bible Study Questions 10315

PASSAGE: Psalm 78:36-52

COMMENT: God continues to reprove Israel because of the ways they have treated Him. Their heart was not right with God. They provoked Him, grieved Him, tempted Him, and limited Him. They did not remember the deliverance of the Lord when He brought them out of Egypt. Yet God remembered that they were but flesh and had compassion on them. We should all glory in such a good and gracious God.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1. Their heart was not _________ with God, neither were they steadfast in His ______________.

2. They often did ___________ Him in the wilderness and ___________ Him in the desert.

3. “They remembered not his _________, not the _________ when he delivered them from the enemy.”

4. In judging Egypt, God gave their increase unto the ________________, and their labor unto the ___________.

5. God made His own people to go forth like _________ and He guided them in the wilderness like a _________.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. In verse 39, God remembered that the Israelites were “but flesh” and compared them to “a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.” What does He mean by comparing our flesh to a wind? Consider the following verses and tell what you think they mean: Job 7:6; 9:25, 26; 14:1-2; Psalm 39:5; 90:9; James 4:14.

2. God fought against Egypt (because they held God’s people in bondage) by “sending evil angels among them” (v.49). What do you think this means? Compare this with 1Kings 22:15-23. What questions do these passages bring to your mind? Note: Do not worry if you do not have a complete answer to this. Sometimes it is good to ask the questions and then let them work in your heart over a period of time.

3. God “made a way to his anger” (v.50). God often uses descriptive language to create a picture of a truth. Describe the picture that this phrase brings to your mind. How can you use this picture to explain the anger of God?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1. The Israelites flattered God with their mouth and lied to Him with their tongues (v.36). How is it that men flatter God? How does this verse compare with Isaiah 29:13 and Ezekiel 33:31? How do we sometimes flatter God or lie to Him? What should we do to correct this?

2. When the Israelites turned back and tempted God, they limited the Holy One of Israel (v.41). This is a strange statement. How can man in his weakness limit the work of Almighty God? Read about the ministry of Jesus in Matthew 13:53-58. How do these two passages compare? Why do you think God allows His work to be limited by man? Name some ways in which man may limit the work that God does.

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES: Psalm 78:39, 41, 52

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