Psalm 95:10-11 (NIVUK)
10 For forty years I was angry with that generation;
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray,
and they have not known my ways.”
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
“They shall never enter my rest.”’
A tricky ending to this psalm. How do we read this? On the face of it, it seems to say that God could not forgive their grumbling and lack of faith, and lost his temper with them. How do we reconcile that with Jesus’ instruction to us to forgive our brother not just seven times, but seventy seven times (Matthew 18:21-22), or even Old Testament descriptions of his character such as Psalm 145:8 which states, ‘The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love’? I’m tempted to interpret this not as God lashing out in anger, but rather his lamenting the consequences his people bring on themselves when they allow their hearts to become hardened. However you understand it, the point is clear, we can only fully enjoy God’s world, love, and provision if we are faithful and follow him, and this story from the time of Moses (see yesterday’s notes’) is there as a warning and encouragement.
Father, I long to know the fullness of the life which you offer us, to know your rest, your peace, your contentment or wholeness. Forgive me for when my heart has gone astray, and help me as I seek to be faithful, as you are.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
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