Psalm 67

For God so loved the world!  Do not doubt this.  God’s intentions towards mankind, created in His image, have always been designed to encourage a joyful relationship with their Creator.

As we have been considering the “Hymn Book of Israel” we have seen several songs that show God’s special relationship with one nation among many.  Israel is His treasured possession.  But lest you think His love for the world is somehow diminished because of this, you must consider Psalm 67.

The song begins with a reference to a special priestly blessing given to Israel in Numbers 6:24-27.  I have often prayed this for people, but in its original context it was a gift to Israel.  The High Priest was to pray this and thus put My name on the children of Israel (Num. 6:28).  God did in fact promise blessing on Israel if and as they walked obediently with Him.

But why did God give this special blessing to Israel?  That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations (67:2).  God’s choice of Israel, His provision for her security and blessing on her land, were not an end in itself.  She was to be a living invitation to the nations of the world that there is one God and He is the God of Israel.  

To see how this was intended to be, consider the following stories from the Old Testament:

·         Exodus 5-12 where each plague upon Egypt was a display of the power of Yahweh, Israel’s God, over one of the gods of Egypt (Ex. 12:12; Num. 33:4).

·         Isaiah 36-37 when the Assyrians came to attack Jerusalem (esp. 37:8-20).

·         Jonah 1-4 when Jonah was sent to call Ninevah to repentance.

·         Daniel’s conversations with Nebuchadnezzar (esp. Dan. 5:26-27,34-37).

In each case the point is expressed in the line seen so frequently in the Scriptures: then they shall know that I am the Lord or then they shall know that there is a God in Israel.  God’s word through Isaiah expressed clearly the roll Israel had among the nations:

“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant who I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He.  Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me.  I, even I, am the Lord.  And besides Me there is no savior.  I have declared and I have proclaimed, and there was no foreign god among you.  Therefore you are my witnesses,” says the Lord, “that I am God.” (Isaiah 43:10-12)

The Body of Christ, the Church, should sing this song with understanding.  God HAS already been merciful to us and blessed us in Christ.  His face HAS shown upon us.  But this is not just for our joy.  It is so that we might be His light to the world.  God is still seeking to bless the world through His chosen people.  The gift of the Holy Spirit is to empower believers to witness to God’s mercy and grace to all the world (Acts 1:8).  His light is to shine to the world through the lives of His people (Matt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12).  Having been reconciled to God we have been given the ministry of reconciliation whereby we implore others to be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:18-21).

Let us examine ourselves.  Is there time, energy, priority, interest, commitment and relationships that fit our heavenly calling to be Christ to the world?!  So often the testimony of God’s people shames Him before the world.  (If you want to consider this more deeply I commend to you 1 Peter 4:12-19.)