Psalms 78:59-60
When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel. He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God's hearing isn't passive; it's an active comprehension that leads to a fierce, active rejection. This isn't just God being upset; it signifies a profound, decisive turning away from His people due to their persistent faithlessness.
The psalm recounts Israel's repeated failures to trust and obey God, even after witnessing His mighty deeds. This section focuses on the period after Israel entered Canaan, highlighting their continued idolatry and faithlessness, which led to devastating consequences like the loss of the Ark and the destruction of Shiloh, God's dwelling place. God's intense anger and rejection of His people are described as a direct result of their persistent sin and provocation.
The verse says God 'heard' and then was 'wroth.' What does it mean for God to 'hear' in this context, and how does His wrath function?
Divine Awareness and Righteous Anger
When the psalm states "God heard," it's not just about passively receiving sound. It signifies God’s active awareness and understanding of Israel's persistent sinfulness. This "hearing" isn't about God needing information; it's about His recognition of their repeated disobedience and rebellion.
The Nature of God's Wrath
God's "wrath" isn't like human anger, which can be uncontrolled or petty. Instead, it's a righteous and holy response to sin. It reflects His perfect character, which cannot tolerate evil. When Israel’s persistent unfaithfulness reached a certain point, God’s wrath was stirred as a just consequence.
The phrase 'utterly rejected' is strong. What does this level of rejection imply about Israel's relationship with God and the consequences they faced?
From Chosen to Cast Off
This isn't a minor disciplinary measure; "utterly rejected" signifies a profound break. It means God withdrew His active presence and favor from the nation. This wasn't a temporary pause but a deep, consequential turning away from them.
The Abandonment of Shiloh
The context provided by the commentaries points to the fall of Shiloh and the capture of the Ark as a tangible manifestation of this rejection. Shiloh was the dwelling place of God's presence, and its abandonment meant the physical and spiritual loss of that divine connection. This rejection led to their vulnerability and defeat by enemies.
Rejection's Impact
This profound rejection meant that Israel was no longer recognized or protected as God's special people. Their identity, so tied to God's covenant and presence, was shattered. This led to national calamity, the loss of their spiritual center, and a stark demonstration of the consequences of breaking faith with God.
Understand the original words
hemah · Hebrew Noun
The intense, righteous reaction of God against sin and evil. It is His settled opposition to everything that is contrary to His holiness.
ma'as · Hebrew Verb
To reject, cast off, or despise. It signifies a decisive breaking of fellowship or a refusal to recognize a previous relationship.
natash · Hebrew Verb
To abandon, leave, or give up. It implies a departure or withdrawal of presence, especially in a theological context regarding God leaving His people due to their rebellion.
This verse speaks to a profound moment of divine rejection, directly resulting from the catastrophic loss of the Ark of the Covenant and the subsequent destruction of Shiloh. It marks a turning point where God, grieved by Israel's persistent unfaithfulness, withdraws His presence and protection, leading to a period of deep national humiliation before His eventual intervention and the rise of a new kingdom under David.
c. 1070 BC— this verse
Ark Captured by Philistines
During the time of High Priest Eli, the Israelites suffered a devastating defeat against the Philistines, resulting in the capture of the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh.
c. 1070 BC
Destruction of Shiloh
Following the capture of the Ark, the sanctuary at Shiloh, which had served as the central place of worship for Israel, was destroyed or abandoned.
c. 1050 BC - 1010 BC
Period of Philistine Oppression
After the loss of the Ark and the destruction of Shiloh, the Philistines exerted significant dominance over the Israelites for several decades.
c. 1010 BC
Restoration of the Ark
The Ark of the Covenant was eventually returned to Israel, though not to Shiloh, indicating a shift in God's dwelling place and favor.
This passage shows God's initial wrath and rejection of Israel after they worshipped the golden calf, mirroring the intense anger and turning away described in Psalm 78:59.
Judges 2:11-15Here, Israel's repeated sin led to God abandoning them and allowing enemies to oppress them, highlighting the cyclical nature of their disobedience and God's subsequent displeasure that echoes Psalm 78:59.
Jeremiah 7:12-15This prophecy recounts God's judgment on Shiloh, the very place mentioned in relation to the events of Psalm 78, emphasizing God's abandonment of a place because of Israel's wickedness and His wrath.
Romans 1:24-26This New Testament passage describes God giving people over to their desires due to their unfaithfulness, illustrating a similar concept of divine rejection and wrath in response to persistent sin, paralleling the sentiment in Psalm 78:59.
expositorsPsalms 78:1-72: "Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth."
Psalm 78:1-72 THIS psalm is closely related to Psalm 105:1-45 ; Psalm 106:1-48 ; Psalm 107:1-43 . Like them, it treats the history of Israel, and especially the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, for purposes of edification, rebuke, and encouragement. The past is held up as a mirror to the present generation. It has been one long succession of miracles of mercy met by equally continu…
calvinPsalms 78:59-66: "When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:"
- God heard it, and was wroth, and exceedingly abhorred Israel. 60. And he forsook the habitation of Shiloh, [358] the tabernacle where he dwelt among men. 61. And he delivered his strength into captivity, and his beauty into the hand of the enemy. 62. And he shut up his people to the sword, and was wroth with his own inheritance. 63. The fire devoured their chosen; [359] , and their virgins were not applauded.…
God's hearing isn't passive; it's an active comprehension that leads to a fierce, active rejection. This isn't just God being upset; it signifies a profound, decisive turning away from His people due to their persistent faithlessness.
The psalm recounts Israel's repeated failures to trust and obey God, even after witnessing His mighty deeds. This section focuses on the period after Israel entered Canaan, highlighting their continued idolatry and faithlessness, which led to devastating consequences like the loss of the Ark and the destruction of Shiloh, God's dwelling place. God's intense anger and rejection of His people are described as a direct result of their persistent sin and provocation.
The psalm recounts Israel's repeated failures to trust and obey God, even after witnessing His mighty deeds. This section focuses on the period after Israel entered Canaan, highlighting their continued idolatry and faithlessness, which led to devastating consequences like the loss of the Ark and the destruction of Shiloh, God's dwelling place. God's intense anger and rejection of His people are described as a direct result of their persistent sin and provocation.
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"When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel. He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind," — God's hearing isn't passive; it's an active comprehension that leads to a fierce, active rejection. This isn't just God being upset; it signifies a profound, decisive turning away from His people due…
