Meditations on the Psalms #223

Psalm 106 Part 2

The wilderness wanderings represent people who are delivered but not dedicated to God. Like Christians who are still under the dominion of the ‘flesh’ instead of the Spirit (Laodicea). The experience represents the recognition that in Christ’s death we died (Egypt and the Lamb) – we were justified by grace. We were raised by baptism (the red sea) to newness of life Despite our many failings we are not abandoned by God in the wilderness of sin (Sanctification). And then after many trials, we enter the promised land (Glorification.) 

The NT terms for the various states that Israel was in are Natural (1Cor2:14,3:1). Carnal (Romans7:1-13), and spiritual (Romans8:1-15). Note that sin dominates the wilderness carnal state and that for us, this will continue until we heed the voice which says, “sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace.” (Rom6:14) For those in the spiritual state, sin is resident but not president! 
Israel’s history is as much the story of God’s unfailing love, mercy, faithfulness, and long-suffering, as it is the story of Israel’s faithlessness and unbelief. In fact, it is against the background of their sin that God’s patience is most fully illuminated. As Paul said in Rom5:20, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…”

The great works of God are remembered, from the dividing of the Red Sea to the destruction of the Egyptian army v8-12. However, (quoting Num11) Israel moved quickly from faith and celebration of God’s works (v12) to ingratitude and disobedience (v13-14.) Their ‘intense craving’(NASB) after physical, material things were an important factor in this. The Hebrew for this phrase is simply a repetition of the word craved. 
The psalmist repeated the idea from Psalm78:18, which spoke of the Israelites testing God (v14) with their unbelief regarding His ability to provide for their needs in the wilderness. Remember, we are still in the wilderness also. ‘He gave them their request, but sent a leanness among them’(v15 NASB): For whoever sets his ‘wild desires’(NLT) in a self-willed fashion on material good, and succeeds in securing their gratification gains the loss of a shriveled spiritual nature. Full-fed ‘flesh’ makes starved spirituality. 

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