Psalms 78:18

"Yet they still went on to sin against him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert."

Key Reflection

In the wilderness, Israel continued their rebellion against God despite the miracles and divine guidance they had experienced. The original audience would have recognized this as a clear reference to the people's persistent disobedience after receiving manna from heaven and water from the rock—repeated instances of divine provision that should have solidified their faith and submission but instead fueled their ongoing complaints and idolatrous behavior.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

And they tempted God in their heart -Exodus 16:2. The heart was the source of the evil. They were not satisfied with what he gave them. They asked for that which would be more agreeable to them, and they did it with a complaining and a murmuring spirit. It is not wrong in itself to ask of God that which will be better than what we now possess, for that is the object of all our prayers; but this may be done from a wrong motive - for mere self-gratification, as was the case here; or it may be with a complaining and dissatisfied spirit, such as was evinced on this occasion. In such a case we cannot expect the prayer to be answered “except as a punishment.” By asking meat for their lust -Food.

More from Psalms 78

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