Psalm 106:7
Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea.
Our fathers in Egypt
This phrase refers to the ancestors of the Israelites who lived in Egypt during the time of their enslavement. The Hebrew word for "fathers" (אָבוֹת, avot) signifies not just biological ancestors but also spiritual predecessors. This highlights the continuity of the covenant relationship God established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The mention of Egypt is significant as it represents a place of bondage and oppression, from which God delivered His people. Historically, Egypt was a powerful empire, and the Israelites' deliverance from it was a profound demonstration of God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

did not understand
The Hebrew root for "understand" (בִּין, bin) implies discernment and insight. This phrase suggests a lack of spiritual perception among the Israelites. Despite witnessing God's mighty acts, they failed to grasp the deeper significance of His works. This lack of understanding is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where the people often forget God's past deliverances and promises. It serves as a cautionary reminder for believers to seek spiritual wisdom and understanding through prayer and study of the Scriptures.

Your wonders
The term "wonders" (נִפְלְאוֹת, nifla'ot) refers to the miraculous acts of God, particularly those performed during the Exodus, such as the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. These wonders were meant to reveal God's power and glory, serving as signs to both the Israelites and the surrounding nations. In a broader theological context, God's wonders are a testament to His active involvement in the world and His ability to intervene in human history for the sake of His people.

They did not remember
The act of remembering (זָכַר, zakar) in Hebrew culture is more than a mental recall; it involves a conscious decision to act upon what is remembered. The Israelites' failure to remember God's kindness and deliverance is a spiritual shortcoming that leads to disobedience and rebellion. This phrase underscores the importance of remembrance in maintaining faithfulness to God. It encourages believers to regularly recall and celebrate God's past faithfulness as a foundation for trust and obedience.

the abundance of Your kindness
The word "kindness" (חֶסֶד, chesed) is a rich Hebrew term often translated as lovingkindness, mercy, or steadfast love. It denotes God's covenantal loyalty and unfailing love towards His people. The "abundance" of this kindness emphasizes its vastness and generosity. This phrase invites believers to reflect on the depth and breadth of God's love, which is not contingent on human merit but is freely given. It serves as a source of comfort and assurance of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises.

but rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea
The act of rebellion (מָרָה, marah) signifies a willful defiance against God's authority. The specific mention of the Red Sea recalls the incident where the Israelites, despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, doubted His ability to save them from Pharaoh's pursuing army (Exodus 14:10-12). This rebellion at the Red Sea is emblematic of the broader pattern of Israel's disobedience throughout their wilderness journey. It serves as a warning against the dangers of unbelief and ingratitude, urging believers to trust in God's power and provision even in seemingly insurmountable circumstances.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Our Fathers
Refers to the Israelites, the ancestors of the Jewish people, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt.

2. Egypt
The land where the Israelites were enslaved for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses.

3. Your Wonders
The miraculous acts performed by God, particularly during the Exodus, such as the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.

4. Your Many Kindnesses
God's acts of mercy and provision for the Israelites, including their deliverance from Egypt and sustenance in the wilderness.

5. The Red Sea
The body of water that God miraculously parted to allow the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptian army.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Wonders
Reflect on the importance of recognizing and understanding God's work in our lives. Just as the Israelites failed to grasp the significance of God's wonders, we must strive to see His hand in our daily experiences.

Remembering God's Kindness
Cultivate a habit of gratitude and remembrance. The Israelites' failure to remember God's kindness led to rebellion. Regularly recounting God's blessings can strengthen our faith and obedience.

The Danger of Forgetfulness
Forgetfulness can lead to rebellion. Like the Israelites, when we forget God's past faithfulness, we are more prone to doubt and disobedience. Keep a journal or a list of answered prayers and blessings to combat spiritual amnesia.

Rebellion and Its Consequences
Understand that rebellion against God has consequences. The Israelites' rebellion at the Red Sea serves as a warning to us about the seriousness of disobedience.

Learning from the Past
Use the history of Israel as a learning tool. The Bible provides these accounts not just as historical records but as lessons for our spiritual growth and maturity.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some "wonders" God has performed in your life that you may have overlooked or forgotten?

2. How can you actively remember and celebrate God's kindnesses in your daily routine?

3. In what ways might forgetfulness of God's past faithfulness lead to spiritual struggles or rebellion in your life?

4. How can the account of the Israelites at the Red Sea serve as a warning or encouragement in your current circumstances?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you learn from the past mistakes of the Israelites, as described in Psalm 106:7 and related scriptures?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 14
This chapter details the crossing of the Red Sea, where the Israelites witnessed God's miraculous deliverance.

Numbers 14
Highlights the Israelites' repeated rebellion and lack of faith in God's promises, similar to their actions at the Red Sea.

Deuteronomy 1
Moses recounts the Israelites' journey and their frequent forgetfulness of God's deeds and kindness.

Psalm 78
Another psalm that recounts the history of Israel's disobedience and God's faithfulness.

1 Corinthians 10
Paul uses the example of the Israelites' experiences as a warning to the Corinthian church about the dangers of disobedience and forgetfulness.
Sin: its Spring-Head, Stream, and SeaPsalm 106:7
Sin: its Spring-Head, Stream, and SeaCharles Haddon Spurgeon Psalm 106:7
The Israelites' Ingratitude to GodR. South, D.D.Psalm 106:7
The Roots of DisobedienceR. Tuck Psalm 106:7
The Nevertheless of God's MercyS. Conway Psalm 106:1-48
People
Aaron, Abiram, Baalpeor, Dathan, Ham, Phinehas, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abundance, Abundant, Acts, Cause, Consider, Considered, Didn't, Egypt, Fathers, Heed, Kind, Kindnesses, Love, Loving, Lovingkindnesses, Loving-kindnesses, Memory, Mercies, Miracles, Multitude, Provoke, Provoked, Rebelled, Rebellious, Red, Remember, Remembered, Steadfast, Suph, Understand, Understood, Wisely, Wonderful, Wonders, Wondrous, Works, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 106:7

     1418   miracles, responses
     5191   thought
     5945   self-pity
     6223   rebellion, of Israel
     8291   kindness

Psalm 106:6-7

     7222   exodus, events of

Psalm 106:7-11

     4819   dryness

Psalm 106:7-12

     7223   exodus, significance

Psalm 106:7-15

     8763   forgetting

Library
June the Twelfth Waiting for the Spectacular
"The waves covered their enemies.... Then believed they His words." --PSALM cvi. 1-12. Their faith was born in a great emergency. A spectacular deliverance was needed to implant their trust in the Lord. They found no witness in the quiet daily providence; the unobtrusive miracle of daily mercy did not awake their song. They dwelt upon the "special" blessing, when all the time the really special blessing was to be found in the sleepless care which watched over them in their ordinary and commonplace
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Israel at the Red Sea
"A few more rolling years at most, Will land me on fair Canaan's coast.' And then I shall have no more warfare, no more fighting, no more disturbance; but I shall be at peace." "Not quite as thou desirest," says God. "Oh! thou little one; I have more to teach thee ere thou art prepared for my palace." Then he commences to lead us about, and bring us into straits and perils. The sins which we thought had utterly left us are hunting us behind, while impassible floods block up the way. Even trembling
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

Why are Men Saved?
"The hand that made us is Divine." If we listen to the rippling of the freshet at the mountain side, to the tumbling of the avalanche, to the lowing of the cattle, to the singing of the birds, to every voice and sound of nature, we shall hear this answer to the question, "God is our maker; he hath made us, and not we ourselves." The next question, as to design--Why were these things made?--is not so easy to answer, apart from Scripture; but when we look at Scripture we discover this fact--that as
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Sin: Its Spring-Head, Stream, and Sea
It may help us to escape out of the meshes of our natural depravity, if we look back and see the causes of our fathers' sins. To confess our personal sin will tend to keep us humble; and in view of the Lord's mercy, which has spared and pardoned us, a sense of our guilt will make us grateful. The less we think of ourselves the more we shall think of him whose "mercy endureth for ever"; and if we see where our fathers' sins began, and how they grew, and what they came to, we may hope that the Spirit
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Waters of Meribah
'Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Fourteenth Day. The Holy one of God.
Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.'--Luke i. 35. 'We have believed and know that Thou art the Holy One of God.'--John vi. 69. 'The holy one of the Lord'--only once (Ps. cvi. 16) the expression is found in the Old Testament. It is spoken of Aaron, in whom holiness, as far as it could then be revealed, had found its most complete embodiment. The title waited for its fulfilment in Him who alone, in His own person, could perfectly show forth
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Our Status.
"And he believed in the Lord: and he counted it to him for righteousness." --Gen. xv. 6. The right touches a man's status. So long as the law has not proven him guilty, has not convicted and sentenced him, his legal status is that of a free and law-abiding citizen. But as soon as his guilt is proven in court and the jury has convicted him, he passes from that into the status of the bound and law-breaking citizen. The same applies to our relation to God. Our status before God is that either of the
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for Churches.
Text: Philippians 1, 3-11. 3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Elucidations.
I. (Deadly Sins, cap. ix., p. 356.) To maintain a modern and wholly uncatholic system of Penitence, the schoolmen invented a technical scheme of sins mortal and sins venial, which must not be read into the Fathers, who had no such technicalities in mind. By "deadly sins" they meant all such as St. John recognizes (1 John v. 16-17) and none other; that is to say sins of surprise and infirmity, sins having in them no malice or wilful disobedience, such as an impatient word, or a momentary neglect of
Tertullian—The Five Books Against Marcion

Rest for the Weary
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. W hich shall we admire most -- the majesty, or the grace, conspicuous in this invitation? How soon would the greatest earthly monarch be impoverished, and his treasures utterly exhausted, if all, that are poor and miserable, had encouragement to apply freely to him, with a promise of relief, fully answerable to their wants and wishes! But the riches of Christ are unsearchable and inexhaustible. If millions and millions
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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