HIS GLORY INTO THE ENEMY’S HAND

Asaph was very much aware of his spiritual heritage. He would not have any law, v. 1; words, v. 2; parable, v. 3, or dark saying of old without having heard them or being told, v. 3. He sees also the value of passing them on to “the generation to come”. He was conscious that this was not just a good idea, but rather a spiritual obligation, for the Lord had “established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel … which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: that the generation to come might know them”, vv. 5, 6. Thus there should be continuity of testimony. This was to include the good and the bad: the good things (like “hope in God”, v. 7) were to be encouraged, while the bad things (like those seen in their forefathers who “kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; and forgat his works, and his wonders that he had showed them”, vv. 10, 11) were to be forbidden.

In spite of this, the fathers still rebelled, vv. 17, 18, and having seen all this they still dared to ask, “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?”, v. 19. The root cause was “because they believed not in God”, v. 22. Their later history showed the same sad trend, v. 58. God’s longsuffering is meant to lead men to repentance, Rom. 2. 4, but when repentance is wanting, God’s anger eventually shows itself.

When this happened, the state religion became a mere sham, and God “forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; and delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand”, vv. 60, 61. When the place of testimony became unsuitable, it was removed, even if it had been the place where His glory had been manifested.

The principles on which God operates never change. The need to educate the coming generation in spiritual truths is today entrusted to parents, Sunday School teachers and Bible Class leaders, etc. They have a Bible full of things to pass on: victories and defeats, joys and sorrows, blessings and curses. If this is not done, then local churches of the next generation might experience the ultimate sanction of the Lord upon them, namely, having the testimony removed; cf. vv. 60-62 with Rev. 2. 5.