We see from the title that Psalm 81 is another Psalm of
Asaph. It was written for the director
of Music and is believed to have been intended for use during the Feast of
Tabernacles. You can see this festival
on the calendar today as Sukkot and it is celebrated each year at the final
harvest. It is the most joyful of the
feasts celebrating gratitude for their prosperity and abundance.
This Psalm talks of the exodus of the Israelite people from
slavery in Egypt and, as is appropriate for the Feast of Tabernacles. Verses
1-3 begin with singing for joy before God.
Read those verses now. As they
sing this Psalm at their Feast, they are focusing on God. What do you focus on at your holiday
activities? Is God in your line of sight
or are your eyes on secular things?
Verses 3-4 remind us that trumpets or rams’ horns announced every new
moon and festival in Israel. All of
God’s people have been called to celebrate.
Joy is in the air. Verse 5
reminds us that God made the Feasts of Israel mandatory for His people. There were certain times that they were to
come to worship.
In verses 6-7, Israel is reminded that God delivered them
from slavery in Egypt when they cried out to Him. The reference to answering them out of a
thundercloud comes from Exodus 19:14-31:18 where Moses proceeds up the mountain
to meet God who descends in a thundercloud to give him the Law and the Ten
Commandments. The reference to being
tested at Meribah refers to Numbers 20:2-13 where Moses was instructed to speak
to the rock and bring forth water for the nation when they had none. Read this account now. The people were being tested by not having
water and they failed by fighting amongst themselves rather than trusting God. Despite this failure, He was still faithful to
provide for them. Has this ever happened
in your life? Ask God now to help you to
always trust Him in all circumstances.
In verses 8-9, we see a warning given of the thing that God
will require of His people. What is
it? Throughout the Old Testament, we
know that idol worship has been a problem for God’s people. Why do you think that is (Numbers 33:52-55,
Judges 1:21, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33)? Think
now about times you have been disobedient to God and how that has worked out
for you. Pray and ask God to bring those
times to mind when you are tempted again to be disobedient. Ask Him to reveal any idols (things that have been more important than God) in your life.
In verse 10, we have an open invitation to be filled by
God. How can we open ourselves to be
filled by Him? Pray that God will help
you to be open to His filling. He has so
much to offer us (e.g. joy, wisdom, etc.).
Verses 11-12 reveal what happens when we continually disobey God. He gives us over to our own stubborn hearts
and allows us to follow our own devices.
How do you think that affects the free gifts He offers His people?
Verses 13-14 tell us that God’s protection is conditional. On what does it hinge? Verse 15 tells us what would happen to God’s
enemies and what would be done for God’s people if only God’s people were
obedient. Read these verses now and see
what He promises. Pray that God will
help you to always be on this right side spiritually.
Responding to God: Think about your holiday observances. Are they full of joy and thanksgiving to the
Lord? Do you focus on His good
gifts? Do you look back on the things He
has done for you in your life as the Israelites remembered the Exodus? Do you try to obey God’s commands continually
or do you just expect His good gifts and protection with no obligation on your
part? Pray and ask God to help you be
His faithful servant each and every day.
In your journal, list the things with which you would like God to fill you and
the sins He has revealed to you which are hampering your spiritual walk.
Further Research: To learn more about the Feast of Tabernacles,
read Leviticus 23:33-44 and Numbers 29:12-40.
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