“The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle. They did not keep God’s covenant, but refused to walk according to His law. They forgot his works and the wonders that
He had shown them.” Psalm 78: 9-11
Asaph wrote Psalm 78. It is a magnificent song that contrasts the mercy and goodness of God with the life of His people, Israel, who constantly sinned and rebelled against God. Asaph records his song in a chronological timeline beginning with Jacob and moving through the wildernesswanderings of Israel after God delivered them from their captivity.
The event Asaph records in verses 9-11 is troubling. Israel is
marching forward. The order of the tribes has been prescribed by God. Ephraim is in the back half of the tribes. That means that the visible presence of God, the cloud by day and fire by night, is in front of them. Additionally they can see Moses, Aaron, the ark of the Covenant and the Levites in front of them marching faithfully forward. They can see God’s people following God’s guidance into battle – they are not the only ones going into battle.
Ephraim Ephraim was the younger son of Joseph who Jacob blessed
instead of His older brother, Manasseh.
Armed and carrying bows Ephraim had all it needed to succeed. They were armed (prepared for battle defensively) and had an offensive weapon (the bow). That sounds just like the Christian’s spiritual armor.
Turned back We read they turned their backs. The word shows a reversal. This is disastrous – part of God’s army turns their backs on His direction and goes in their own way. Remember they are in the back half of the army. They probably can’t even see the enemy. Yet the mere threat of standing for God in battle terrifies them.
On the day of battle We are told when they turned back. It was time to stand. The test comes and it revealed the true condition of Ephraim’s heart. At a time when believing in the Lord’s faithfulness was required, Ephraim doubted God and retreated. Asaph then tells us why Ephraim took this action, the root cause of turning back in battle.
They did not keep God’s covenant Ephraim knew God’s promises. They were not ignorant. Despite knowing God’s word, they refused to faithfully carry out their part of the covenant relationship. They doubted God. The faithful became double-minded.
But refused to walk according to His law This is a willful act. Ephraim is unwilling to do what God asked of them. The word refused can be translated slothful. They did not want to do this. In practice they denied the Lord is worthy to be trusted and obeyed.
They forgot his works and the wonders Ephraim failed to remember God’s goodness and mercy to them. Over and over
God’s people are warned not to forget God’s goodness but Ephraim did not listen. The word includes intentional forgetting. They knew what God had done but discounted his past acts. They simply did not want to obey.
That He had shown them God’s goodness to Ephraim was visible and public. God’s faithfulness in the past did not lead them to trust Him for the future. Deliverance from Egypt was great but standing for God was a bridge to far.
What can we learn? Ephraim was in the back of the army. They fought with bows. They would get no where close to the enemy. Yet they did not want to do what God directed them to do. They forgot
God delivered them slavery. That made no difference – now. They did not believe God would protect them in this test of life. Forgetting God led to turning back in battle.