Peter Barnes | Psalm 78:1-39
SERMON NOTES
NOT LEARNING FROM HISTORY
(Psalm 78:1-39)
– second longest Psalm, after Psalm 119
1. We have a duty to teach the faith to our children.
– 78:1-8; a parable is a story (or history) with a spiritual meaning (Matt.13:34-35)
– Gen.18:19; even under difficult circumstances as in Timothy’s case (2 Tim.3:15; note Acts 16:3)
– important than Christian schools or Sunday schools, which is not to downplay either of those.
2. Israel continued to sin against God’s law despite His wonders.
– 78:9-20; cf. Ex.16:2-3; Num.11:4-6
– God afflicted and blessed (78:21-33), but Israel did not learn (78:32)
With mercy and with judgment
My web of time He wove (Anne Ross Cousin).
3. God desires to show mercy rather than judgment.
– 78:34-39; this is not to encourage a superficial repentance, but a reminder of how gracious God is.
– 78:39; not unlike picking up a bird that has fallen out of its nest.