How does Psalm 105:35 illustrate God's power over nature and creation? Context in Psalm 105 Psalm 105 retells God’s mighty acts on behalf of Israel—from the covenant with Abraham to the Exodus and entry into Canaan. Verse 35 sits within the recounting of the plagues on Egypt (vv. 26-36), underscoring how the Lord employed creation itself to secure His people’s freedom. The Specific Verse “ ‘They devoured every green thing in their land and ate the produce of their soil.’ ” (Psalm 105:35) Power Over Nature Demonstrated • God sends locusts at His command: Nature is not autonomous; it serves God’s redemptive purposes. • Total devastation shows total control: “every green thing… the produce of their soil” leaves no room for chance or partial obedience by the insects. • A direct parallel to the historical record: Exodus 10:15—“They covered all the ground until it was black, and they devoured every plant in the land…”. The psalmist treats the Exodus narrative as factual history and highlights God’s hand behind it. • Timing and precision: The plague arrives exactly when Pharaoh hardens his heart (Exodus 10:1-6) and departs exactly when Moses prays (Exodus 10:18-19). Only the Creator can marshal and dismiss vast swarms on cue. Wider Scriptural Echoes • Job 38:34-35—God asks Job if he can command the clouds; the implied answer underscores human inability versus divine sovereignty. • Psalm 147:15-18—He “sends forth His command to the earth… He sends His word and melts them,” proving that weather obeys His word. • Mark 4:39—Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea; the immediate calm reveals the same divine authority at work in the incarnate Son. Implications for Believers Today • Trust in God’s absolute sovereignty—He can still order nature for judgment or deliverance. • Confidence in Scripture’s historical accuracy—Psalm 105 treats Exodus as literal, reinforcing our certainty that God acted in time, space, and matter. • Hope amid ecological or personal crises—The One who commanded locusts can restrain or redirect any natural force for the good of His people and the glory of His name. |
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