God is merciful to His people

Bible Study Questions 10322

PASSAGE: Psalm 78:52-72

COMMENT: Though God delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land, they continued to rebel against Him. In anger, He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh and delivered his strength into captivity (referring to the taking of the ark by the Philistines). But God still came back and defeated their enemies. He chose David of the tribe of Judah to lead the people of Israel. God is merciful to His people.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1. The Lord brought Israel to the border of His _______________, even to this ___________, which His right hand had purchased.

2. The Israelites provoked God to anger with their high ___________, and moved Him to jealousy with their graven __________.

3. In His wrath, God delivered His __________ into captivity, and His __________ into the enemy’s hand.

4. When all looked helpless, the Lord awaked as one out of __________, and like a mighty man that shouts by reason of _________.

5. David fed the Israelites according to the ___________ of his heart and guided them by the ______________ of his hands.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. In verse 57, the Israelites deal unfaithfully with Lord and were turned aside like a deceitful bow. The bow here is the bow of an archer; as in a bow and arrows. What does it mean to turn aside like a deceitful bow? If you do not know, try to find someone who has experience with archery and ask them. Now, tell how this applies to people who deal unfaithfully with the Lord.

2. God forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh (v.60). See what you can find out about Shiloh and tell about its importance in early Israelite history. Look up the word in a Bible dictionary. Also, check out the following verses for information: Joshua 18:1; Judges 21:19; 1Samuel 1:3; 3:21; 4:3-4; Jeremiah 7:12-14).

3. According to verses 67-68, God did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but He did choose the tribe of Judah. What does it mean that God choose Judah (be prepared to give more than one answer)? Use the following verses to find your answer: Genesis 49:9-10; 1Chronicles 5:1-2; Psalm 76:1; Hebrews 7:14.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1. Concerning Israel, God “led them on safely” (v.53) and gave them King David who “fed them according to the integrity of his heart” (v.72). In Isaiah 40:11, God “shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Notice again that He will feed them and lead them. The Lamb of God does both of these actions in Revelation 7:17. We can even see leading and feeding as the responsibilities of a pastor in 1Peter 5:2-3. Spiritually speaking, what is leading and what is feeding? As a believer, how are you led? How are you fed? Who should you be leading and feeding? Name one thing you should be doing concerning leading and feeding that you are not doing now.

2. God divided the Israelites “an inheritance by line” (v.55). This is probably referring to the dividing of the inheritance by Joshua after the conquest of the land. But it points out the importance that the Bible gives to inheritance. The word inherit and its various forms are found over 300 times in the Bible. What do you think it means that they received their inheritance “by line?” Consider Psalm 16:5-6 – “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” What does this mean to you spiritually?

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES: Psalm 78:72

TEXT: Psalm 78:52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.

55 He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:

57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

59 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:

60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;

61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.

62 He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.

63 The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.

64 Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.

65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:

68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.

69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.

70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

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