Observation:
A Reflection of the Divine Warrior (vv. 7–18)
68:7 O God, when you lead your people into battle,when you march through the desert,
(NET) When you march through the desert. Some interpreters think that v. 7 alludes to Israel’s exodus from Egypt and its subsequent travels in the desert. Another option is that v. 7, like v. 8, echoes Judg 5:4, which describes how the God of Sinai marched across the desert regions to do battle with Sisera and his Canaanite army.
Difficult text:
a. 68:12 Kings leading armies run away—they run away!
The lovely lady of the house divides up the loot.
68:13 When you lie down among the sheepfolds,
the wings of the dove are covered with silver
and with glittering gold.
(NET) The point of the imagery of v. 13 is not certain, though the reference to silver and gold appears to be positive. Both would be part of the loot carried away from battle (see v. 12b).
b. 68:14 When the sovereign judge scatters kings,
let it snow on Zalmon!
(NET) The point of the image is unclear. Perhaps “snow” suggests fertility and blessing (see v. 9 and Isa 55:10), or the image of a snow-capped mountain suggests grandeur.
Zalmon was apparently a mountain in the region, perhaps the one mentioned in Judg 9:46 as being in the vicinity of Shechem.
c. v.15 The mountain of Bashan is a towering mountain;
the mountain of Bashan is a mountain with many peaks.
68:16 Why do you look with envy, O mountains with many peaks,
at the mountain where God has decided to live?
Indeed the LORD will live there permanently!
68:17 God has countless chariots;
they number in the thousands
(BKC) 68:15–17. These verses speak of the Lord’s choosing Zion above other mountains and of His triumphant entry into it like a conqueror. The great mountains of the land of Bashan refer to the Hermon mountain range, only a few miles north of Bashan. Choosing Zion for His dwelling place, God entered the city with a vast company (thousands of thousands) of angelic hosts, pictured here as riding in chariots. Thus the Lord went all the way from Sinai (cf. v. 8) to His sanctuary in Zion.
d. v.17b The Lord comes from Sinai in holy splendor.
68:18 You ascend on high,
you have taken many captives.
You receive tribute from men,
including even sinful rebels.
Indeed the LORD God lives there!
(EBC)The Divine Warrior had successfully subjugated the enemies (“the rebellious”), having made them “captives” (cf. Judg 5:12) and having received tribute from the conquered nations (cf. v. 6c). In commemoration of his mighty acts, he chose Jerusalem among the mountains to establish his abode “where the LORD himself will dwell forever”
Reflections: God was the mighty warrior. It is a statement backed with history. God won the battle over and over again for Israel. From the time they left Egypt and established their nation in Sinai to the time that David moved the tabernacle to Jerusalem, this tiny nation of Israel won countless amazing battles. It was not due to their might that they could win.
v..9b When they are tired, you sustain them,
68:10 for you live among them.
You sustain the oppressed with your good blessings, O God
The good news about the defeat of the kings was announced by women (the weaker part of their populations). The loots were divided by the women again v.12.
On the other hand, God is determined to dwell among them. He chose them and led them in triumphant v.16-18.
What kind of battle do I go through today? Do I see that all the battles in my life were won because of God? I remembered the times when I struggled to finish writing the devotion sharing. One of those moments when I travelled to HK and I tried to find time to write it. Another time was when I was so busy one day I tried to write it at 11pm. Sometimes, I feel the fresh energy comes to me and sustains me when I am tired.
I thank God who chooses me and the Holy Spirit dwells in me. God leads me through the battles. Triumphant belongs to Him.
Audrey
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