Why did they rebel against God's words in Psalm 107:11? Canonical Text (Psalm 107:10–11) “Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains, because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.” Immediate Literary Context Psalm 107 is a thanksgiving psalm structured around four vignettes of distress and divine rescue. Verses 10–16 describe a group whose bondage results directly from rebellion. The pattern—sin, suffering, supplication, salvation—explains not only their circumstance but also why they rebelled: a willful, culpable choice against God’s revealed word, followed by inevitable consequences. Historical-Theological Background While the psalm was likely sung post-exile, the imagery recalls repeated national apostasies: • Wilderness generation (Numbers 14) • Judges era cycles (Judges 2:11–19) • Divided-kingdom idolatry (2 Kings 17:7–20) In each period, covenantal stipulations (Deuteronomy 28) were clear, yet the people still chose autonomy. Psalm 107 packages that collective memory into worship, underscoring human depravity and divine faithfulness. Underlying Spiritual and Psychological Motives 1. Pride (Proverbs 16:18) — A desire for self-determination clashes with divine authority. 2. Sensual Idolatry (Ezekiel 16:15) — Earthly pleasures eclipse allegiance to God. 3. Forgetfulness of Grace (Psalm 106:7, 21) — Neglecting past deliverances breeds distrust. 4. Deception by False Worldviews (2 Corinthians 4:4) — Spiritual blindness, weaponized by Satan, obscures truth. 5. Cultural Conformity (Romans 12:2) — Societal norms pressure individuals to compromise. Cross-Canonical Corroboration • Job 24:13 — “They rebel against the light.” • Isaiah 30:1 — “Woe to the rebellious children… who execute a plan, but not Mine.” • Hebrews 3:7–19 — The wilderness rebellion becomes a NT warning against hardened unbelief. These passages confirm that rebellion is a timeless pattern rooted in unbelief and hardened hearts. Consequences Outlined in Psalm 107 “Darkness… shadow of death… affliction… chains” symbolize: • Spiritual alienation (Isaiah 59:2) • Mental/emotional gloom (Lamentations 3:6) • Socio-political captivity (Babylonian exile) • Physical suffering (Deuteronomy 28:65–67) Rebellion thus carries multidimensional fallout, validating God’s warnings. Divine Remedy and Call to Repentance Psalm 107:13 records the turning point: “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.” Deliverance is purely by grace, foreshadowing the ultimate liberation through Christ’s resurrection (Romans 4:25). The pattern anticipates New-Covenant salvation: conviction (John 16:8), repentance (Acts 2:38), and restoration (1 Peter 2:9). Practical Implications for Contemporary Readers 1. Scripture is authoritative and clear; rebellion stems from refusal, not ambiguity. 2. Personal autonomy unmoored from God results in bondage—addictions, anxiety, purposelessness. 3. National apostasy likewise invites cultural darkness; revival begins with honoring God’s Word. 4. Christ offers the definitive jailbreak (Luke 4:18); trusting Him breaks spiritual chains. Summary Answer They rebelled because, driven by pride, idolatry, and unbelief, they willfully rejected the clear, gracious commands and counsel of God. This rejection—repeated throughout Israel’s history—led to literal and spiritual captivity, validating the covenant warnings and magnifying the mercy that followed their repentant cry. |
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