Wednesday 22 February 2017

Psalm: Psalm 112

Background

Have you ever broken a contract?

Most of us will have entered into a contract at some point. Inthese contracts legal promises are made between the two partiesabout what each will do. There are also penalties that exist thatcome into effect on both sides if the contract is broken. If wefail to pay a bill on time or break the contract early there arerepercussions; if the contractor fails to deliver goods they willalso face penalties.

This few verses at the end of chapter 16 bring to a close thelongest single oracle in the Old Testament. God has spelt out indetail the faithless nature of the people and the judgement thatthey face. Verse 59 affirms how God will deal with God's ownpeople; God will remain faithful to the covenant made with themeven though the people have not. The covenant worked two ways andGod's promises would be fulfilled if the people remained faithfulto God. The fact that the people had chased after idols and brokenthese promises meant God was bound by the covenant to impose thosecurses mentioned within it also.

Despite all of this, God now reaffirms a commitment to thecovenant promises made in Israel's youth. In the verses that followGod reiterates the promise to keep the covenant and allow thepeople to again live under its blessing. This is a message of greathope to a people who seem to have none. Even though they have beenfaithless, God will still be faithful.

To Ponder

• Have you ever been affected by a broken contract?

• How is the promise of God restoring God's own covenant with thepeople a message of hope?

• How does this give you hope today?