INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 79, 2 Kings 25, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah 39 & Daniel 1
Psalm 79 was written about one of the most devestating events in Jewish history - the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian empire. It is described a number of times throughout Scripture.
As we read these passages (see above) we realize that Judah's kings at the time were not following the ways of the Lord; and the priest and leaders in the Temple of the Lord were also `wicked, following the example of Godless nations'
"The Lord made the Temple in Jerusalem holy, but the leaders made it unholy." 2 Chron 36:14b (NLT)
The prophet Jeremiah had been sent by God again and again to warn the Israelites, it's kings and spiritual leaders what would happen if they did not repent of their 'wicked ways'. but they refused to listen. We then read how God used Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian army to punish his people.
"Nebuchadnezzar and his army set fire to God's Temple and broke down Jerusalem's walls, burning all the palaces. They took and destroyed every valuable thing in Jerusalem. The few who survived were taken as exiles to Babylon and they became servants to the king and his sons until the king of Persia came to power. So the message of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the 70 years were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said." 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 (NLT)
But just as this Psalm ends on a positive note - with a promise to God - we can truly see the hand of God's mercy in the simple kindnesses shown to God's faithful servants: Jeremiah, Gedaliah, and those who were able to stay in Jerusalem. Not only was Gedaliah a friend and helper of Jeremiah, but his name meant, "Yahweh is great" and was the head of a prominent family in Judah. It is possible that Jeremiah had put in a good word for him with the king. He was a man of honour and good sense, and his treachorous murder by Ishmael was probably due to jealousy and ambition.
Now an old man, Jeremiah was released from prison, protected by the Babylons and was allowed to live among his people in Judah. This is indeed a demonstration of God's grace.
"But the captain of the guard allowed some of the poorest people to stay behind to care for the vineyards and fields." 2 Kings 25:12 (NLT)
"Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, left some people in Judah. He appointed Ged aliah, son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as Governer.... Gedaliah vowed to them that the Babylonian officials meant them no harm: "Don't be afraid of them. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and all will go well with you.", he promised. 2 Kings 25:22 & 24 (NLT)
"Find Jeremiah and take care of him. Do not hurt him but do for him what he asked.....They had Jeremiah taken out of the courtyard and turned over to Gedaliah......So they took him home and he stayed among the people left in Judah." Jeremiah 39:12-14 (NLT)
Later we read how Daniel and his friends, though captives in Babylon were also favoured because of their faithfulness in God.
"God made Aspharez, the Chief Officer want to be kind and merciful to Daniel." Daniel 1:9
Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopion, who helped rescue Jeremiah was given a promise from God because of his compassionate acts and trust in God, and finally we have "this comforting sign to the whole captive people, that the Lord would one day end their banishment". After 37years, Judah's king Jehoakin was freed from jail, and given a "higher place the other exiled kings in Babylon".
"He supplied Jehoachin with new clothes to replace his prison garb and allowed him to dine in the king's presence for the rest of his life." 2 Kings 25:29
JERUSALEM'S DEVASTATION - Read Psalm 79:1-4; Lamentations 1
The shocking, brutal fall of Jerusalem made them a disgrace to surrounding nations, and Asaph was feeling this disgrace deeply; especially the defile of the Temple, which God's own people had `brought down' by their own `sin and arrogance'.
Seeing his family and friends- people he had lived and worked with closely fall before him and the Temple laying in a heap of rubble - he would have felt grief, but more so, a heavy heart of lament. He knew that they had "deserved their punishments" for their sins, but still he felt deeply their hurt and humiliation. Like Jeremiah who had tried so hard to bring his people back to God.
"Jerusalem sinned terribly so she had become unclean. All who honoured her despised her, for they have all seen her naked; she herself groans and turns away. Her filthiliness clung to her skirts; she did not consider her future. Her fall was astounding; there was none to comfort her, "Look, Lord, on my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed." Lamentations 1:8&9 (NIV)
ASAPH'S PRAYER FOR GOD'S HELP - Read Psalm 79:5-8, Jeremiah 29
Like Asaph we often ask this question, especially in this season of isolation, lonliness, grief and unknown: "How long?" We may not necessarily feel that God is angry or jealous with us; but we may, like Asaph and the Israelites be feeling 'on the brink of despair,' because life is not going the way we planned.
Asaph was expressing the heart of his people. In the years of Jeremiah, the people had listened to false prophets and had ignored the truth from God, through Jeremiah. Hopefully now, they would listen to God's promise as Asaph's prayer will be answered.
"The good news was that God's anger and jealousy would not burn against His people forever. Jeremiah foretold the judgement to come, but He also told the restoration to come." David Guzik
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Judgement would come upon Babylon as they would be conquered by the Medes and the Persians. As we read in th books of Ezra and Nehemiah, the Jewish people would return to their homeland and rebuild their city and their Temple - God's plans of restoration!
A PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS AND SALVATION - Read Psalm 79:9-11, Lamentations 3:19-26
Again, speaking on behalf of the Israelites, Asaph humbled himself, seeking forgiveness for the sins of his people and God's salvation.
"Sins accumulate against nations. Generations lay up stores of transgressions to be visited upon their successors; hence this urgent prayer." Charles Spurgeon
Like Jeremiah, Asaph knew that only God could give them atonement for their sins.
"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh every morning. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I hope in Him!" The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him . So it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:22-26 (NLT)
The people in exile in Babylon were not unlike those who had been in Egypt - there was a lot of misery and moaning. Asaph asked God to watch over them and keep them safe. There may be days that we may be feeling like we are in `exile', but remember, God is watching over us.
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore, He will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are those who wait for Him." Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
CONCLUSION - Read Psalm 12&13
Asaph's final request was that God would deal with his conquerors with both justice and vengeance, and we know that God keeps his promises, especially to to His people, `the sheep of His pasture". Asaph believed in this, and thus ended his psalm on a positive note.
He showed a grateful dependence on God. He recognized that he indeed was a sheep in God's pasture, and that he would trust in the Shepherd. He encouraged God's people to follow him, as he declared thanks and praise in what he believed would be a bright future!
"We will thank you always, forever and ever, we will praise you." Psalm 79:13b (CEV)
Guzik, David (2020), "A Prayer from Conquered Exiles", "The Fall of Jerusalem & Captivity of Judah", "The Fall of Jerusalem", www.@enduringword.com
Spurgeon, Charles.H (1885) (2020) "Treasury of David", Christianity.com
Holy Bible, New Century Version, (2005), Thomas Nelson Publishers
Holy Bible, New International Version (2011), Biblica.Inc
Holy Bible, New Living Translation (2015), Tyndale Publishers
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