Psalm 114

Here is another Psalm that glorifies God in the history of Israel, or more specifically, in His choice of Israel.  Remember that this is in the group of “hillel” Psalms (113-118) read at feast times.  They are calls to praise that are beneficial for the people of Israel to review frequently.  But, to be sure, this is a call to praise for all the earth.

·         114:1-2: We are transported to the very beginning of the national existence of the descendents of Jacob.  They were a family until God took them out of Egypt.  Judah, the tribe in which both the palace and the temple would rest, became holy to the Lord (His sanctuary or holy place).  Israel became His dominion, the place on earth where God would exercise His kingly authority.  Remember how significant this is to the people of Israel.  They entered Egypt 70 members of a family; they endured great affliction; and by God’s grace and power, they exited Egypt a nation of millions.

·         114:3-6: What rejoicing this elicited from the parts of creation through which Israel travelled on their way to Canaan.  Both the Red Sea and the Jordan River were parted for Israel to pass through.  The great mountains of the wilderness and the little hills were like playful sheep as God brought His people into the Promised Land.

·         114:7-8: Why did these potential obstacles act in such a way?  Because they recognized the presence of the Lord in this event.  All the earth is called to tremble at His presence.  In the Exodus the Presence of God was especially evident when God provided water from the rock (Exodus 17:1-7).  When you read that story you will see God not only promised to meet the need for water; He promised to appear before the people.  God did His work through Moses, speaking to the people in Egypt and leading them out.  But at Rephidim He manifested Himself in a way that was evident to the people.  There is a Jewish tradition that the rock from which water came actually stayed with Israel throughout their years in the wilderness.  That may or may not be the case (Scripture is not clear).  But remember that the Apostle Paul put it this way: they all drank the same spiritual drink.  For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ (1 Cor. 10:4).  God manifested Himself in that rock and manifestations of God always are connected to the second member of the Trinity, the Son of God.

Today the message is the same.  Israel was to be His sanctuary and dominion.  He is present with those today who drink of the spiritual Rock, to dwell with them and to rule over them.  What worship that should elicit from each of us!  Jesus Himself said, whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14).