人生💯倍の賛美😊【聖書】詩篇78篇 天からの祝福

1.背景

この詩篇は、詩篇105、106、136と共に、国民的賛歌と呼ばれる詩篇の一つです。また119篇に次いで最も長い詩篇となっています。概略は、最初にイスラエルの出エジプトにおける荒野の放浪が語られ(9-31節)、次にエジプト人に襲った災い(44-51節)とエジプトからの脱出、そしてカナンの地の占領(52-64節)、最後に統治者ダビデの出現(65-72節)でまとめられています。

書かれた時代は、69節、神殿があること、また、70-72節ダビデの統治を意識していること、捕囚に関する記述や北イスラエル滅亡に関する記述がないこと等を考えると、それ以前の時期と考えられます。カルヴァンは、イスラエル10部族がダビデ王朝に反旗を翻し、イスラエル北王国が形成された時に、北王国に対する警告のために詠まれた詩と考えています。確かに、ダビデ以前の歴史を振り返り、神がイスラエルの王としてサウルではなくダビデを選ばれたことを示す点(67-72節)からすればそうかもしれません。しかしもう少し後の時代、これからダビデのもと新しい歩みを進めようとしているイスラエルに過去の失敗を繰り返すことのないようにという霊的な警告を与えようとして詠まれたとも考えられます。いずれにせよ、それは単なる歴史的な回顧ではなく、霊的な教訓を与えるもので、歴史に介入される神を認め歩むことの重要さを語るものです。

2.知恵への招き

1節の「教え」は、ヘブル語ではトーラー、イスラエルの歴史の内に示された神の啓示を意味します。また3節、4節を見ると、それは、昔から言い伝えられてきたことを語ろうとしています。5節、「さとし」は単数で、ヘブル語では限定的に「十のことば(十戒)」を指していて、それは、神のみおしえの中核となる部分です。つまり、昔からの神のみ教えに心を留めるように、と言っています。

ただ2節「謎」と訳されたヘブル語はヒッダー、祝宴でサムソンがかけた「謎」と同じことばが使われています(士師14)。また、エゼキエルが17章で比喩的な物語(3-10節)を引用する際に使ったことばです。つまり熟慮すべき言葉であることを示す用語です(マタイ13:35)。

3.背信の繰り返し

9節から具体的に、神のみ教えに従って歩まず神に裁かれたエフライムの敗北が語られています(10-11節)。エフライムの退却(9節)は、神への背信の結果であった、と。しかしそのような背信の民に対し、神は素晴らしい御業をなしてくださった(12-16節)、と、神の変わらぬ愛が語られます。興味深いのはその後の繰り返しです。

(1)知恵への招き(1-8節)、エフライムの背信(9-11節)

(2)エジプトでの主の素晴らしいみわざ(12-16節)、荒野での民の不平(17-22節)

(3)マナとうずらの神の業(23-31節)、繰り返す民の背信(38-39節)

(4)あわれみと忍耐の神の業(38-39節)、贖いの御業を忘れた民の背信(40-43節)

(5)エジプトを裁かれる神の業(44-55節)、偶像崇拝による民の背信(56-58節)

つまり、イスラエルは、神の業を知り、神の実在を目の当たりにした「にもかかわらず」(32節)、神に反逆し、罪を犯した、にもかかわらず神に守られてきた繰り返しです。神が自分に何かをしてくれたとしても、不信仰に逆戻りする、そして神に助けられる(38節)、その繰り返しに注意しなくてはなりません。

4.神の恵みの選び

神の変わらぬ愛を覚える時に、謙虚に、神の恵みにより頼まざるを得ない私たちの現実があります。神も私たちが、「肉に過ぎず、吹き去れば、返って来ない風であることを」わかっていてくださるのです。神は私たちに期待していますが、期待どおりに行動するわけではないこともはじめからわかった上で、私たちを受け入れ、愛してくださっています。ただ義なのではなく、恵み深く心を開いて、私たちのために、天の窓から祝福を注いでくださるお方なのです。

キリストにあるとこしえに変わらぬ神の恵みを覚えて、今日も神に遜りつつ、期待し、歩ませていただきましょう。では今日もよき一日となるように祈ります。

<クイズコーナー>

最初に、昨日のクイズです。エドトンは、何族の出身でしょうか?①ゲルション、②メラリ、③ケハテ、答えは②メラリ族でした。では、今日の聖書クイズです。詩篇の中で最も長い詩篇は何篇になるでしょうか?①23篇、②78篇、③119篇、答えはまた明日。では今日もよき一日となりますように祈ります。

Psalms78: Blessing from Heaven

1. background

This Psalm, along with Psalms 105, 106, and 136, is one of the four great Psalms called the National Anthem. It is also the longest Psalm after Psalm 119. The Psalm is summarized as follows: first, the wilderness wanderings of Israel during the Exodus (vv. 9-31), then the plagues that befell the Egyptians (vv. 44-51) and their exodus from Egypt, followed by the occupation of the land of Canaan (vv. 52-64) and finally the advent of David the ruler (vv. 65-72).

The period of the writing is considered to be earlier, given the presence of the temple, v. 69, and the awareness of David’s reign, vv. 70-72, and the absence of any mention of the captivity or of the destruction of northern Israel. Calvin believes that the poem was composed to warn the Northern Kingdom of Israel when the 10 tribes of Israel rebelled against the Davidic dynasty and the Northern Kingdom of Israel was formed. Certainly, this may be true from the point of view of looking back on pre-Davidic history and showing that God chose David, not Saul, as the king of Israel (vv. 67-72). However, it is also possible that the poem was intended to give a spiritual warning to Israel, which was about to take a new step forward under David, not to repeat the mistakes of the past. In any case, it is not merely a historical retrospective, but gives a spiritual lesson, and speaks of the importance of recognizing God’s intervention in history and walking in it.

2. invitation to wisdom

In verse 1, “teaching” is the Hebrew word for Torah, God’s revelation revealed within Israel’s history. In verses 3 and 4, it is trying to speak of what has been handed down from of old; in verse 5, “teaching” is singular, and in Hebrew, it refers to the limited “Ten Words (Ten Commandments),” which are the core of God’s teachings. In other words, it is telling us to be mindful of God’s teachings from of old.

But the Hebrew word translated “mystery” in verse 2 is hiddah, the same word used for the “mystery” that Samson put on Samson at the feast (Judges 14). It is also the word Ezekiel used in chapter 17 when quoting the figurative narrative (vv. 3-10). In other words, it is a term indicating that it is a word to be pondered (Matt. 13:34).

3. repetition of disobedience

Beginning in verse 9, we are specifically told of Ephraim’s defeat when he did not walk according to God’s teachings and was judged by God (vv. 10-11). Ephraim’s retreat (v. 9) was the result of their disobedience to God. However, God’s unchanging love for His people is described, saying that He has done wondrous things for them (vv. 12-16). What is interesting is the repetition that follows.

(1) The invitation to wisdom (vv.1-8) and Ephraim’s betrayal (vv.9-11).

(2) The Lord’s wonderful work in Egypt (vv.12-16), the people’s complaint in the wilderness (vv.17-22)

(3) God’s work of manna and quails (vv.23-31); the people’s repeated disobedience (vv.38-39)

(4) God’s work of mercy and patience (vv.38-39); the people’s apostasy as they forget His work of redemption (vv.40-43)

(5) The work of God in judging Egypt (vv.44-55) and the people’s disobedience through idolatry (vv.56-58)

In other words, Israel has repeatedly rebelled against God, sinned, and been protected by God despite the fact that they knew God’s works and saw God’s reality “in spite of” (v. 32). We must beware of the repetition of falling back into unbelief and being saved by God, even though God has done something for us.

4. the choice of God’s grace

When we remember God’s abiding love, our reality is that we must humbly rely on His grace. God knows that we are “but flesh, a wind that bloweth away, and returneth not. God accepts us and loves us, knowing from the beginning that we will not behave as He expects us to behave. He is not just righteous, but gracious and open, pouring blessings through the windows of heaven for us.

Let us remember the everlasting grace of God in Christ, and let us walk in expectation and in obedience to God today. I pray that today will be another good day.

3. repetition of disobedience

Beginning in verse 9, we are specifically told of Ephraim’s defeat when he did not walk according to God’s teachings and was judged by God (vv. 10-11). Ephraim’s retreat (v. 9) was the result of their disobedience to God. However, God’s unchanging love for His people is described, saying that He has done wondrous things for them (vv. 12-16). What is interesting is the repetition that follows.

(1) The invitation to wisdom (vv.1-8) and Ephraim’s betrayal (vv.9-11).

(2) The Lord’s wonderful work in Egypt (vv.12-16), the people’s complaint in the wilderness (vv.17-22)

(3) God’s work of manna and quails (vv.23-31); the people’s repeated disobedience (vv.38-39)

(4) God’s work of mercy and patience (vv.38-39); the people’s apostasy as they forget His work of redemption (vv.40-43)

(5) The work of God in judging Egypt (vv.44-55) and the people’s disobedience through idolatry (vv.56-58)

In other words, Israel has repeatedly rebelled against God, sinned, and been protected by God despite the fact that they knew God’s works and saw God’s reality “in spite of” (v. 32). We must beware of the repetition of falling back into unbelief and being saved by God, even though God has done something for us.

4. the choice of God’s grace

When we remember God’s abiding love, our reality is that we must humbly rely on His grace. God knows that we are “but flesh, a wind that bloweth away, and returneth not. God accepts us and loves us, knowing from the beginning that we cannot do what He expects of us. He is not just righteous, but gracious and open, pouring blessings through the windows of heaven for us.

Remembering the everlasting grace of God in Christ, let us walk today with reverence and expectation in God. I pray that today will be another good day.

<Quiz Corner>

First, yesterday’s quiz. What tribe is Edton from? (1) Gershon, (2) Merari, (3) Kehate, the answer was (2) Merari. Now, here is today’s Bible quiz. What is the longest Psalm in the Psalter? (1) Psalm 23, (2) Psalm 78, (3) Psalm 119, and the answer will be given tomorrow. I pray that today will be another good day for you.