FROM EGYPT TO CANAAN.
Psalm 105:37-45.
(i). The Exodus.
PSALM 105:37. After the smiting of the firstborn in Egypt, the LORD brought forth His people with both wealth and wellness (cf. 3 John 1:2). The Egyptians sacked their own houses in order to provide the children of Israel with some back pay for all those years of hard labour. And of the Israelites, even after having been under the lash for so long, there was yet “not one feeble among them.”
PSALM 105:38. By contrast, amongst the Egyptians every household had lost their firstborn. So it is no wonder that the Egyptians were glad to see the back of Jacob’s descendants. “Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.” To say nothing of the fear of God.
(ii). The Wilderness.
PSALM 105:39. Tokens of God’s presence with them from the Red Sea to the promised land: a cloud to cover them by day; “and a fire to give light in the night.”
PSALM 105:40. Sustenance in the barren wilderness. No mention of their murmurings, but God “brought” quails, and “satisfied” them with “the bread of heaven” (manna). Jesus, the One who came down from heaven, is the bread of life (cf. John 6:35; John 6:48-51).
PSALM 105:41. Furthermore He “opened the rock and the waters gushed out.” They ran in streams through the whole camp of the Israelites, to nourish them for the journey. Our blessings flow from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Rock of our salvation (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4), who gives us ‘rivers of living water’ (cf. John 7:38).
PSALM 105:42. “For” introduces a reason for all these God-given miracles. ‘Because’ (if you like) God remembered His covenant with Abraham their father. The holy God kept His “holy promise.”
PSALM 105:43. “And He brought forth His people with joy.” This speaks of His rejoicing over them. “And His chosen with gladness.” This speaks of the gladness and relief of the children of Israel at their deliverance. The LORD rejoices to save us, and we rejoice in Him for our salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
iii). The Promised Land.
PSALM 105:44. As we move on from the days of Moses to the days of Joshua, we see that it was the LORD who “gave them the lands of the heathen.” The LORD gave Israel ‘a land for which you did not labour, and cities which you built not,’ and fruit from vines and olives which they had not planted (cf. Joshua 24:13).
PSALM 105:45. But why was Israel delivered from their bondage? Why were they given all this? It was so that they might be a holy people to the LORD, “observing His statutes, and keeping His laws.” We are saved not BY good works, but ‘UNTO good works’ (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10), that we too might be a holy people unto the LORD – the laws having now been written upon our hearts (cf. Jeremiah 31:33).
And having reflected upon all that the LORD had done for Israel; it is no wonder that they raised up their Alleluias in response to the imperative, “Praise ye the LORD.” Shall not we do likewise when we think of the great salvation which is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord?
Amen. Alleluia. “Praise ye the LORD.”
