Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him
with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity (Ps. 106:43).
As the wicked perversity of the people was manifested in
that God’s severe chastisements failed to produce their reformation, so now, on
the other hand, the prophet deduces the detestable hardness of their hearts
from the fact, that all the benefits which they had received from God could not
bend them into obedience. They did, indeed, in the time of their afflictions,
groan under the burden of them; but when God not only mitigated their
punishment, but also granted them wonderful deliverances, can their subsequent
backsliding be excused?
It becomes us to bear in mind, that here, as in a glass, we
have a picture of the nature of all mankind; for let God but adopt those very
means which he employed in relation to the Israelites, in order to reclaim the
majority of the sons of men, how comparatively few are there who will not be
found continuing in the very same state as they were? And if he either humble
us by the severity of his rod, or melt us by his kindness, the effect is only
temporary; because, though he visit us with correction upon correction, and heap
kindness upon kindness, yet we very soon relapse into our wonted vicious
practices.
As for the Jews, their insensate stupidity was insufferable,
in that, notwithstanding the many and magnificent deliverances which God
wrought out for them, they did not cease from their backslidings. For the
Psalmist says, that they, nevertheless,
provoked God with their wicked inventions. Then he declares that they
received a just recompense of reward in being oppressed by their iniquity.
Moreover, he informs us, that though they were most deserving of all their
afflictions, yet their groanings were heard; whence we learn, that God, in his
unwearied kindness, did not cease to strive with them on account of their
perverseness of spirit. (Commentaries)
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