Connect Psalm 106:7 with Exodus 14:11-12 regarding Israel's response to God's works. Setting the Scene at the Red Sea • God had just displayed ten overwhelming plagues in Egypt. • Israel was now camped with the Red Sea before them and Pharaoh’s army pressing from behind (Exodus 14:1-9). • Despite witnessing God’s power, terror seized the people. Psalm 106:7—Looking Back and Pointing Out the Heart Issue “ Our fathers in Egypt failed to grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.” • The psalmist highlights two failures: – They “failed to grasp” (ignored) God’s wonders. – They did “not remember” His abundant kindnesses. • These inner lapses produced outer rebellion “by the sea.” Memory loss of God’s works led straight to distrust. Exodus 14:11-12—The Words that Revealed the Problem “ Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? … For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” • Their speech exposed: – Panic (“to die in the wilderness”). – Sarcasm and ingratitude (“no graves in Egypt”). – Preference for bondage over faith (“better … to serve the Egyptians”). • These complaints embody the very rebellion Psalm 106:7 laments. Putting the Two Passages Together • Psalm 106:7 diagnoses the heart; Exodus 14:11-12 records the symptoms. • Forgetfulness of God’s past salvation (plagues, Passover, favor with the Egyptians) birthed present unbelief. • The same generation that saw water turned to blood now feared water blocking their path. • Other Scriptures echo the pattern: – Psalm 78:11 “They forgot what He had done.” – Acts 7:39 “Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11 “These things happened to them as examples.” Lessons for Us Today • Remembering God’s works guards against panic when new threats appear. • Grumbling distorts reality; it makes slavery look safer than freedom. • Faith looks back to God’s proven faithfulness and forward to His sure deliverance (Hebrews 10:23). |
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