Here therefore they have to recount mercy, enduring mercy—"Who can show forth all his praise?" "We have sinned," confesses the Spirit of prophecy in Christ (compare Daniel's prayer) always. The Lord says even as on earth (in heaven being One Body, and in expiation, He says "Me") "that we offend not," "thus it becometh us to fulfill," etc. Here, suffering in their sorrow and sin, He desires to see them in the joy of their inheritance as God's chosen—Egypt was not understood, but He delivered them—and they felt and praised. But they soon forgat, and tempted God in the desert and they made a calf. In Egypt, and from Egypt to Sinai, for Psa. 105 (compare Ex. 15:1818The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. (Exodus 15:18)) records grace. Egypt was forgotten—the Red Sea forgotten in murmurs, and the calf made in Horeb. Psa. 106:1414But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. (Psalm 106:14) gives the quails after the law—Psa. 105:4040The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. (Psalm 105:40), they are given in grace, as before the law. This evil, however, introduced, and its consequences arrested by intercession which God had provided—"they lusted"—"envied Moses and Aaron"—judgment came—apostatized and " forgat God their Savior." Intercession interposed here. "They despised His promises and rest"—"disbelieved and murmured"—He left them according to their thoughts in the wilderness. They joined to idols—the zeal of Phinehas stayed the plague. They brought Moses into trouble by their perverseness. They mingled with the heathen—filled the Land with their wickedness. Therefore the wrath of the Lord was against His people, and He abhorred His inheritance, and gave them into the hand of the heathen, instead of the heathen into theirs. "He delivered them oft" when brought low, but they provoked Him still. Nevertheless "He regarded their affliction when he heard their cry"—"He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies." This reconciled all His ways.
The humbled word of faith is, now brought low, "Save us, O Jehovah our God"—for all this is in relationship and faith" Gather us to praise and triumph in thy Name." Therefore, according to the apostolic direction, it is "with thanksgiving," because with faith. "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting"—He changes not, and all the people are called on to say Amen to this solemn truth. What marvelous grace first, and patience of mercy afterward! Such is the hope of Israel!