Peter Barnes | Psalm 78:40-72
SERMON NOTES
GOD’S PURPOSES IN HISTORY
(Psalm 78:40-72)
– Israel failed in 78:40-42
1. Israel grieved God in the wilderness.
– 78:43-51 – seven of the ten plagues are mentioned but not in order.
– God was a shepherd (78:52-53; see how God protects Israel in Ex.9:26; 12:23; 14:19-28)
– it is the same in the New Testament e.g. John 12:9-11
2. Israel grieved God in the Promised Land.
– 78:54-64; refers especially to the events of 1 Samuel 4
– Adam failed in Eden; Israel failed not only in the hot and hostile desert but in the Promised Land.
3. The goal of history in Christ.
– 78:65-66; God breaks through the cycle of sin and judgment.
(a) He chooses Judah. Psalm 78:67-68; Gen.49:8-12.
(b) Jerusalem is the centre of His purposes. Psalm 78:68-69; Zech.14:8-9.
(c) David is His servant. Psalm 78:70-72; Isa. 9:7; Ezek. 34:23; 37:24; Micah 5:2-4
– here God brings history to its consummation.