Daily Devotions
Psalms
Psalm 78:67 "He rejected the tent of Joseph..."
Day 162 – Psalm 78
“He rejected the tent of Joseph…” Psalm 78:67
THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL
God had blessed Jacob with twelve sons. Each son would one day develop his own tribe. Jacob in his farewell word of blessing to his children both warned and exhorted his children. To his favourite son, Jacob uttered the most profound blessing (Genesis 49:22-26).
UNFORTUNATE RIVALRY
There was unfortunate great rivalry among the tribes. This sense of rivalry among the tribes contributed to the weakness of the nation. In the days of the Judges particularly, because of a lack of unity, their enemies subjugated the tribes and caused the children of Israel to suffer terribly.
WHO WOULD LEAD ISRAEL?
If this was left to Israel to decide, the nation would never have become united. God declared His plans to the nation.
“Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph,
And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim.”
Psalm 78:67
1. “Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph”
a) Joseph was a wonderful son to Jacob.
b) His tent would be a reference to Manasseh and Ephraim.
c) But despite Jacob’s blessing, God had His own plans.
d) The “rejection” of Joseph does not mean that God was displeased with him.
e) It simply meant that Joseph was not His choice.
2. “And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim”
a) Ephraim was not the firstborn of Joseph.
b) But Jacob predicted correctly that Ephraim would be a stronger tribe (Genesis 48:19).
c) But God did not choose the tribe of Ephraim to lead the nation of Israel.
GOD’S PREROGATIVE TO CHOOSE
Israel had to learn afresh many lessons about God. One of them was that God had the right to choose whom He would. Israel had chosen its own ways and these had led them to disaster. God would now reveal His plans concerning leadership in Israel.