Honey from the rock
Amid all the voices clamoring for our attention, promising the good life if only we do more, buy more, be more, etc., God calls us too, though his voice may be unfamiliar. Choosing which voice to heed is vital.
An Asaph psalm.
1 Sing joyfully to God, our strength!
Shout triumphantly to Jacob’s God!
2 Raise a song, strike the tambourines
play the pleasant lyre and harp.
3 Blow the ram’s horn at the new moon
at the full moon and on our feast day
4 because it’s a statute for Israel
decreed by Jacob’s God.
5 A law he gave to Joseph’s family
when he went to war against Egypt
and I heard a voice I didn’t know.
6 “I relieved the load from his shoulder
and took the brick basket out of his hands.
7 You cried out in desperation
so I set you free.
Hidden in the thunderstorm
I answered you.
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
8 Listen my people while I warn you—
if only you’d listen, Israel.
9 You shall have no foreign god among you.
You shall not bow down to an alien god.
10 I am YHWH your God
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide
and I will fill it!
11 But my people didn’t listen to what I said—
Israel didn’t want me.
12 So I let them follow
the dictates of their stubborn hearts.
13 If only my people would listen to me
if only Israel would walk in my ways
14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies
and conquer all their foes.
15 Those who hate YHWH
would cringe before him
their doom being forever sealed.
16 But you I would feed
with the finest of wheat.
With wild honey from the rock
would I satisfy you.”
Asaph, David’s worship leader, opens with a call to joyful praise and observance of three sacred festivals that all point back to the Exodus. These festivals comprise a series of autumn celebrations occurring in succession: the Feast of Shelters, or Tabernacles, the Day of Atonement, and New Year’s Day (Rosh Hashanah).
While these festivals were held only in Jerusalem, the mention of Joseph’s family may allude to Israel’s breakaway northern kingdom, making the psalm inclusive of the entire nation. Joseph’s family lived peacefully in Egypt until God engaged in battle on their behalf under Moses. Asaph ends his call by admitting—as a representative of the Israelites—that he heard an unknown voice in the Exodus, God’s voice, which addresses us in what follows.
God refers to various situations—from Egypt to Sinai—in which he asked the Israelites simply to listen, trust him, and obey, and they refused. They knew better than God, were simply unwilling to believe he knew best and had their best interests at heart. So he let them go their own way. Now centuries later, Asaph sees the Israelites still running after foreign gods. Even so, God still counts them his people and utters his pathos-filled cry, “If only my people would listen… If only they’d walk in my ways.”
God calls his people to reject other gods and obey him wholeheartedly. Alluding to the baby bird’s total dependence on its parents, he invites his people to open their mouths wide in anticipation of all he’ll provide. He promises them prompt protection and the very best life has to offer if only they’ll worship and trust him alone.
Prayer:
God, you came seeking me—like the Israelites—when I didn’t know your voice. Help me not to limit your grace, which counts lost rebels your people and urgently calls them home. Help me believe you’ll give me more than I could ever ask for if only I will hear you and obeye. Amen.
During your free moments today, meditate on God’s gracious invitation:
I am YHWH your God
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide
and I will fill it!
