Psalm 106:37-48 NKJV
37 They even sacrificed their sons
And their daughters to demons,
38 And shed innocent blood,
The blood of their sons and daughters,
Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;
And the land was polluted with blood.
39 Thus they were defiled by their own works,
And played the harlot by their own deeds.
40 Therefore the wrath of the Lord was kindled against His people,
So that He abhorred His own inheritance.
41 And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles,
And those who hated them ruled over them.
42 Their enemies also oppressed them,
And they were brought into subjection under their hand.
43 Many times He delivered them;
But they rebelled in their counsel,
And were brought low for their iniquity.
44 Nevertheless He regarded their affliction,
When He heard their cry;
45 And for their sake He remembered His covenant,
And relented according to the multitude of His mercies.
46 He also made them to be pitied
By all those who carried them away captive.
47 Save us, O Lord our God,
And gather us from among the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.
48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!”
Praise the Lord!
In the wickedness of their idolatry, the Israelites sacrificed their children to false gods, an abomination that grieved the heart of the Lord. This is not just a moral failure; it is a rejection of the one true God. It’s a picture of the total corruption that can happen when people forget God’s covenant and turn to idols.
As we hear about the shedding of innocent blood, we are reminded of the significance of sin, which often comes with consequences that defile not only the sinner but also the land and the people around them. The wrath of God is kindled, and His people are handed over to their enemies. Their distress becomes unbearable, but even in the depths of their rebellion, God does not abandon them.
Just as Israel turned to idols, so do we. While we may not sacrifice our children to Canaanite gods, we sacrifice our time, resources, and hearts to the idols of our modern world – whether they are money, power, or pleasure. We, too, are often bent on rebellion, and our sins are like the ones described here: grave, distressing, and deserving of God’s wrath.
But notice the mercy of God. Even in the midst of His people’s sin, when they cried out to Him in their distress, He responded with compassion. “Nevertheless, He regarded their affliction, When He heard their cry” (verse 44). God’s people were delivered not by their own strength or goodness, but by the mercy of the Lord. In the same way, we have been delivered through Jesus Christ. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. His blood was shed, not to appease idols, but to cleanse us from the guilt of sin and restore our relationship with the Father. In our baptism, we are joined to Christ’s death and resurrection. Through faith in Him, we receive forgiveness, and God’s mercy triumphs over judgment. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we have placed idols in our hearts, and we have not followed Your commands. Have mercy on us, forgive our sins, and renew a right spirit within us. We thank You for Your great love shown to us in Christ. We trust in His sacrifice for our salvation. Hear our cry, O Lord, and deliver us for Jesus’ sake, in whose name we pray. Amen.