Psalms 78:28

And hee let it fall in the midst of their campe, round about their habitations. Psalms 78:28 (KJV)

And he let

it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations. Psalms 78:28 (KJV)

Psalm 78 is a lengthy psalm written by Asaph, one of the chief musicians appointed by David. It recounts the history of Israel and highlights God’s faithfulness and Israel’s unfaithfulness throughout their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The psalm serves as a reminder to future generations of the importance of remembering and learning from their ancestors’ experiences.

The imagery of “honey out of the rock” and “oil out of the flinty rock” is drawn from Deuteronomy 32:13: “He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock.” This passage uses symbolic language to describe God’s provision for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings.

Honey from the rock is associated with sweetness and delight. In the context of the Israelites’ journey, finding honey in a rock would be considered highly unlikely or even impossible. This imagery emphasizes God’s ability to bring forth abundance and nourishment from unexpected sources, demonstrating His supernatural power and care for His people, even in the harshest circumstances.

Oil from the flinty rock is often symbolic of God’s anointing, favour, and blessing. The flinty rock represents a hard and barren place. Just as striking flint produces sparks that ignite a fire, God’s provision of oil from such a rock signifies His ability to bring forth blessings and refreshment even from seemingly unfruitful or challenging situations.

Psalm 78:28 serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision in our own lives. It encourages us to trust in His supernatural ability to provide for our needs, even when the situation appears impossible or challenging. It invites us to remember that God can bring sweetness and blessings from unexpected places, and it teaches the importance of gratitude and praise for God’s provisions, recognising that every good gift comes from Him.