Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Reply to JoelA Psalm 79:12-13

12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord. 13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

JoelA commented that it is very unkind to actually ask God to destroy "our neighbours" in such utterly brutal way, esp when we are told to be patient and kind.

I guess the historical context is an important factor in understanding the verses. The nations have invaded Jerusalem and reduced it to rubble.

The author understands that it is the consequence of their sinful ways when it says in vs 5 "How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?"

But the author also brings up the point that the destruction of Jerusalem, which belongs to God, will look bad on God and the non-believing nations will mock vs 10 " Where is their God?" And no man who blaspheme against the name of God will be let off lightly.

Mark 3:28-29 "I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. 29"But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit wil never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin."

etok..