Faithlessness or Trust?

Read Numbers 2

Read Psalm 79

Numbers chapters 1 and 2 show us why the book is called "numbers." The warriors of the whole nation are counted in chapter 1. And then in chapter two, God gives instructions to Israel how they are to travel and how they are to camp. When they camp, the tribes make a circle around the tabernacle. For the sake of good order they are arranged in a specific way for the protection of the people of Israel and, ultimately, for the protection of the tabernacle from defilement. So the tabernacle, the spiritual life of the people, was physically in the center of the nation.

I read Numbers 2 before I read the Psalm today, and how shocking it was to read about this gracious arrangement of Israel for their protection in Numbers and then read in the Psalm, "O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins." We have flashed forward to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC.

God had arranged for Israel's protection. Where did things fall apart? Luther puts the blame on the people of Israel. He says, "The psalm declares the punishment that follows faithlessness..." (Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH, p. 184). Yes, the people had failed to trust in God, to place their faith in him, and so they fell into all kinds of idolatry and immorality.

Yet, Psalm 79 is a psalm for repentant sinners, a psalm were they (we) cry out to God to atone for our sin, wash away our iniquity, and pour out his vengeance on his (unrepentant) enemies. Though there is punishment for faithlessness, as Luther says, there is also "grace that comes with trust" (Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH, p. 184), as Luther says.

In Numbers 2 we see Judah camped on the east. Perhaps this is meant to indicate that Judah is our hope. The sun rises from Judah and the light of grace shines on the nation. Our Christ, Jesus, of the tribe of Judah, is the redeemer to atone for our sins, to pour out his grace upon us, and to defeat the enemies of sin, death, and the devil.

It is because of Jesus that we can conclude Psalm 79 confidently: "But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise."

So, warned against faithlessness, we are encouraged to trust - for God is gracious and compassionate.

Ask Yourself:

How have I been failing to trust God recently?

To what other sins has this been leading me? What is the warning from God today?

I can rejoice greatly in the mercy of God! How can I thank him today? What can I do to better trust him today?

Pray:

Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide,
For round us falls the eventide.
O let Your Word, that saving light,
Shine forth undimmed into the night.

In these last days of great distress
Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness
That we keep pure till life is spent
Your holy Word and sacrament. Amen.

(LSB 585:1-2)

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!