KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF MIRACLES || Lesson 25 

KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF MIRACLES – Lesson Twenty-five

TEXT:  Psalm 78 (Cont’d.) – V.4-12

V.4 – We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

[We will begin to “consider the marvelous works” listed in this psalm, in keeping with I Samuel 12:24 – But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.]  See V.5-8. 

V.9 – The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle;

The reason for this unfortunate event is given in V.10-12 – ¹⁰they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law. ¹¹They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them. ¹²He did miracles in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

Contrast Judges 7:24-8:3 – ²⁴Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.”

So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they took the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. ²⁵They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.

^8:1Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian?” And they criticized him sharply.

²But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? ³God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided.

Application:  Let us thank the GOD OF MIRACLES for reminding us to seek to “keep His covenant, to live by His law and to remember what He has done,” in order to continuously experience  Psalm 92:4 – For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

SOME FACTS CONCERNING THE EPHRAIMITES:

Descended from Ephraim, younger son of Joseph: Genesis 41:50-52 – ⁵⁰Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. ⁵¹Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” ⁵²The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

Ephraim was blessed ahead of Manasseh:  Genesis 48:20 – He blessed them that day and said, “In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: `May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.'” So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

Application: Let us thank the GOD OF MIRACLES that we are all equally blessed under the “better covenant.” Ephesians 1:3 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Their possessions: Joshua 17:14-18 – ¹⁴The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people and the LORD has blessed us abundantly.”

¹⁵“If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.”

¹⁶The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”

¹⁷But Joshua said to the house of Joseph–to Ephraim and Manasseh–“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment ¹⁸but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”

Application: Let us ask the GOD OF MIRACLES to help us to heed:

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NRSV) – Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.

Ephesians 6:10 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Philippians 1:27-28 – ²⁷Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel ²⁸without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved–and that by God.

2 Timothy 2:1 – You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

1 John 4:4 – You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.