Psalm 83
The first few verses of this Psalm remind me of the story of Esther. Haman wanted to kill off all of the Jews. He thought them a blight on the face of the earth. Haman plotted to kill the Jews and rid the world of all Israelites. However, God had another plan. Likewise with me and with everyone else, God has a plan for us. We need to be in tune with that plan. God is not silent — He speaks. We have to listen and be willing to obey. Obedience, I believe, is key in hearing God. I think that is part of why I struggle to hear Him. I lack the obedience necessary on any given day to draw close to Him. I hear Him when He wants me to hear Him, but am I really centering my whole life around Him so that I act only on the things given to me from Him? I don’t know the line here, honestly. I am sure that some hear Him much clearer than others. Some have to act on faith that what they think they are hearing is in fact God’s will. I can say that I have experienced both of these situations and God has been more gracious to me than I deserve.
There are quite a few places mentioned in these Psalm. In order to clearly communicate what all of these locations and people mean, I want to take a moment and research each of them…
- Edom - name of Esau (Isaac’s son); refused passage to Israelites during the Exodus; constant war with Israelites; conquered by David; partnered with the Chaldean’s to capture Jerusalem
- Ishmaelites - Abraham’s oldest son by Hagar (concubine) was Ishmael; tribes of Ishmael forever against everyone
- Moab - eldest son of Lot (incestuous birth); hostile relations with the Israelites
- Hagrites - tribes from Hagar but independent and different from the Ishmaelites; bitter and warred with Israelites
- Gebal - tract in the land of Edom
- Ammon - aka Ben-ammi; son of Lot; closely associated with Moabites; despised Israelites
- Amalek – son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau; fought against Israelites
- Philistia - perpetual war between Philistines and Israelites
- Tyre - city known for wickedness and idolatry
- Asshur - second son of Shem; built Nineveh; gave name to Assyria
- Lot - lived in Sodom; slept with his daughters
- Midian -rules of Arab; battled against Israelites
- Sisera -commander of Jabin’s army; killed by wife who drove a tent peg into his temple
- Jabin - fought against Israel; lost decisive battle against Joshua
- En-dor -location where Sisera was killed
- Oreb – killed by Gideon and his army; leader of Midian army
Zeeb – killed by Gideon and his army; leader of Midian army - Zebah – king of Midianites; lost great battle and killed by Gideon
- Zalmunna – king of Midianites; lost great battle and killed by Gideon
Obviously, all of these places and people are used as references to show the hatred for God’s chosen people but then the victories that God was able to give them. The historical relevancy of the people and location adds to the impact as the reader would read the verses.
Please, LORD, help me to remember what You have done for Your people!