Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.1
He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;2
Listen! Be attentive! “Hear (lit. Give ear . . . incline your ears . . .), O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, . . .3
and that they should not be like their fathers (the Jews who were rescued by God from Egypt4), a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.5 They forgot his works and the wonders that he has shown them.6 Before their eyes God performed wonders in Egypt.7 He divided the sea and let them pass through it, . . .8 In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light.9 He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. . .10
Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the dessert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness? He struck the rock so that water gushed our and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?”11 They were ignorant. Little did they know that God was taking-out Egypt from their mindset.
Then and now, God instructs us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.12 We must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.13 He teaches us to be content in whatever situation.14 Trust God; he is covenant keeping!—But I will for their sake remember the covenant with their forefathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.”15
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.1
Notes:
1. Psalm 78:1-4
2. Psalm 78:5-7
3. Deuteronomy 6:4-7
4. Exodus 3:1-17:7
5. Psalm 78:8
6. Psalm 78:11
7. Psalm 78:12; Exodus 7:14-12:36
8. Psalm 78:13; Exodus 14:1-31
9. Psalm 78:14; Exodus 13:21-22
10. Psalm 78:15-16; Exodus 17:1-7
11. Psalm 78:17-20; Psalm 23:5; Exodus 17:6, 16:4-7, 12
12. Romans 12:1-2
13. Ephesians 4:17-19
14. Philippians 4:11
15. Leviticus 26:45
16. Colossians 1:9-10
