Bible Study Notes - Teach the Wonders of God - Psalm 78:1-8

Bible Study Notes  

Teach the Wonders of God – Psalm 78:1-8

Introduction

In the technologically advanced age in which we live, we easily forget that the oral tradition was the primary means of communication about God and His awesome deeds at one point. Long before anyone put ink to animal skin or a papyrus, verbally sharing the wonders of God was the method in which the Israelites learned of Him.  Telling the story of God’s faithfulness toward the nation was the only venue available to educate future generations on the source of the people’s strength.  Such was the case for the apostles and early believers in the book of Acts and during the period of the early church.  In fact, one third of Acts is the recorded speeches of the apostles.  The gospel spreads because of their diligence in sharing the message of resurrection and hope with anyone whom they encountered.  Later, the evangelists would write their versions of the gospel to preserve the integrity of the message and teachings of Christ.  Nonetheless, both the Old and New Testaments were initially transmitted through memorization, recollection, legend and other forms of communal “saying sources.”  This verbal transfer of information paralleled the manner in which the great classical epics, The Odyssey, The Iliad and Beowulf descended from generation to generation.

The rapidity and multi-media with which information can be shared has not clarified communication between people.  In ways, people have become more distant.  Confusion is rampant.  Miscommunication is the primary problem in most relationships, personal, familial, collegial and otherwise.  The art of conversation and dialogue is quickly disappearing.  Also, the hand written letter is becoming extinct because of faxes, email, cell phones and word processors.  These circumstances present a real spiritual danger for believers.  Adapting to those scientific advances, we have ceased directly and personally sharing the message of God’s greatness and His enduring love humankind.  We print tracts; produce discs and tapes; sell books; etc.  Evangelization has become a profitable niche in the market.  The character, deeds, and purposes of God have been muddied by commercialization.  Prospective converts do not clearly know the essence of the message.

In today’s lesson, the psalmist recommends a wholesale return to personally and directly sharing the stories of God’s nature and acts.  We cannot underestimate the power of personal testimony and its ability to impress others.  Children should learn the scriptures at home as their parents recount them.  Sunday Church School is a complement to family Christian education not the primary means.  From generation to generation, believers have carried the message through conversation and relationship.  Contemporary disciples must regain this significant missionary impulse.

Lesson Setting

“Psalm 78 is an Aasphic psalm, and may clearly be assigned to the period of the monarchy in Judah, following the construction of the Temple.  The context of the psalm was a service of worship in the Temple, and the psalm itself is an excellent example of the instructional sermon, which would normally have been delivered by a cultic prophet.” [The Broadman Bible Commentary, Volume 4, p.329; 1971]

Exposition

I.  Story Telling by our Ancestors (Psalm 78:1-3)

Asaph pens a historical psalm in which he recalls the wonderful acts of God’s kindness toward Israel.  Like the Deuteronimist, Asaph reasons that memory and recollection are tools of worship, praise and adoration.  As we remember God’s goodness toward us, we solidify our faith and bless His holy name.

In the opening verses of this psalm, Asaph exhorts Israel to hear the stories of their ancestors.  “Listen to the words of my mouth.”  It is the responsibility of the ancestors to share the riches of their experience with the younger generations.  Otherwise, how shall the youth know who they are and whose they are?  How will they come to know the Lord who has been so gracious, loving and merciful.

As it relates to African-Americans, we should instruct our children about the horrors of the American slave system.  We miraculously survived a brutal institution designed to lead to our extinction.  The aimlessness and lovelessness in the Black community is attributed to a lack of heritage.  We fail to appreciate our heritage; we descend from some of the strongest people in human history.  Hearing the stories of their faith, creativity and survival techniques should build self-esteem in all of us.  Similarly, Israel was told of God’s favor toward them.  As they journeyed toward the promise land and encountered various adversaries, they need not fear them because they had the assurance of God’s divine protection.

II.  Tell the Children (Psalm 78:4)

The psalmist reiterates the necessity of telling the next generation the story of God.  He resolves that God’s mighty acts will not be hidden from the children.  The Israelites were not ashamed of their heritage.  Yes, they had been slaves in Egypt.  But, that is not where the story ends.  The God of their forebears made an everlasting covenant with them.  He promised them an enduring legacy of a land flowing with milk and honey.  To fulfill that promise, He liberated them from Egyptian bondage.  Accordingly, their children should be taught that God is faithful to His covenants despite the surrounding circumstances.  God’s lasting commitment to Israel is indeed praiseworthy.

III.  A Divine Command (Psalm 78:5-6)

Asaph cites the law of Israel as evidence to support his admonition.  God told Jacob and has similarly instructed every generation since that they are to tell their children about Him.  The celebration of the Passover requires a recollection of the event.  In fact, en extensive discourse on the Lord’s graciousness toward Israel is the most significant part of the meal.  In addition, the children of Israel set up twelve stones of remembrance when they crossed the Jordan in the Promised Land.  In both of those pivotal events, the leaders told them that their children would some day ask about the meaning of the Passover and the presence of those stones.  The children were to be told that God liberated the Israelites from slavery and destroyed Pharaoh and his army.  He also fulfilled His promise and gave them the land of Canaan.

The story is to be told with such persistence that every generation should hear it without omission.  The children yet to be born will know that they have an obligation to tell their children.

IV.  Hope in History (Psalm 78:7-8)

Teaching the wonders of God empowers the future generations with hope.  It also prevents rebelliousness on their behalf.  Because of the power of the story, the youth would put their trust and faith in Almighty God.  They will grow to realize that He will do for them what He did for their ancestors.  As they encounter trials and tests, the younger generations would not forget the Lord’s mighty acts or faithful character.  They would keep His commandments rather than squandering themselves in the world or prostituting themselves to other gods.  More significantly, they would imitate the faithfulness of God rather than the stubbornness and hard heartedness of their forebears.

Lesson Summary

In the African-American community, we lament the existence of three generations of unchurched youth and young adults.  We are distressed by their ignorance of the character of God and the customs of the Black Church, the holy mother of our community.  However, their alienation from the church and the Lord is not entirely their fault.  We who are mature in the faith have failed miserably in telling them the story of God and His love as embodied on His Son. 

In our homes, where we learned the scriptures and the stories of God’s mighty deeds, we surrender to television, video games, the telephone, and other types of worldly entertainment.  Our children do not know how to pray.  This colossal failure on our behalf to share the story of God with them has led to the death and despair that we see.  It is no wonder that drugs, violence, suicide, and hopelessness have ensnared out future generations.  As the prophet Hosea says, “My people are destroyed due to a lack of knowledge.”  Death is the ultimate fruit of ignorance of God.  Unless we rekindle the passion and vision of training our children in the home, then we will continue to lose them to the fatalities of the streets. 

Lest we forget, Asaph reminds us that telling the story is not an option.  We have been given a divine order.  We continue to fail to our utter detriment, earthly and eternally.

Lesson Overview

Call for the griot!  Usually, each family and community has someone who is the designate storyteller.  That person is the keeper of all legends and secrets.  The griot ensured that the youth and young adults heard the history of the family and community.  He was concerned to keep the details straight.  Today, we need believers to assume the responsibility of the griot in their families.

The Main Thought Explained

The coming generation has a right to know the glorious deeds of the Lord.  Their knowledge of Him and His wonders will be the foundation for their lives.  Consequently, the older generations have the distinct responsibility of telling the story of God’s greatness and faithfulness.