And they forgot his benefits, and his wonders that he had shewn them.
וַיִּשְׁכְּח֥וּ עֲלִילוֹתָ֑יו וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶרְאָֽם׃
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 9 commentaries
This matter should not be treated lightly or overlooked. The fathers he referred to earlier were described as a twisted and resentful generation. So, which ancestors is he referencing, particularly those he would not want his descendants to emulate? If we consider them to be the ancestors of figures like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they had long since passed away by the time God performed wonders in Egypt.
They overlooked his blessings. Despite witnessing numerous acts of kindness, they chose to forget them entirely. This is evident in their betrayal of Pilate, as they disregarded how he had come to them, offering healing and assistance to those afflicted by evil spirits.
They turned against the One who had brought them to life in baptism.
The blessings refer to the acts of kindness that God bestowed upon the Israelites, particularly their liberation from Egypt and their miraculous passage through the Red Sea without touching the water. He lists additional examples that follow. The miracles signify the deeds God performed to afflict the Egyptians, which are also described as signs and wonders, including the transformation of rivers into blood, the departure of frogs, and the magnificent execution of further plagues. These events were also conveyed to subsequent generations of Israelites through teachings and testimonies handed down from their ancestors.
In brief, the prophet reminded the people of all the wonders performed in Egypt, for which he admonishes them for their forgetfulness. If it were not for their profound ingratitude, they would not have abandoned their Benefactor, having overlooked the blessings and miracles experienced by their ancestors, who personally witnessed the signs that were manifested in the land of Taneos. This region was certainly the most ancient and vast territory belonging to Pharaoh, a fact confirmed by sacred Scripture. (Num. 13: 23), referring to Pharaoh's kingdom.
The Tsar may indulge his subject with privileges, elevating him to a high position, bestowing wealth, and granting other notable favors. However, instead of expressing gratitude, the proud subject displays ingratitude, disregards the Tsar's decrees, and acts against the interests of the Fatherland. In seeking to withdraw his favor from such an disloyal and immoral individual, the Tsar makes his grievances known to the entire nation, stating: 'I have conferred these and those benefits upon this subject of mine, yet he has cast aside my kindness and has wronged both me and his homeland.
This lawbreaker is stripped of all royal favor and faces death.' In a similar manner, God, the Sovereign of Heaven, voices His concerns to the world regarding His subjects who acknowledge His name but fail to honor Him. They are recipients of abundant blessings from Him, yet they forget and remain ungrateful, transgressing His holy and just laws, thereby causing Him grief, as noted in the prophetic scriptures and psalms about the unthankful Israelites: 'they have forgotten His favors and the wonders which He has shown them' (Psalms 77:11). What acts of love had the compassionate Lord performed for them? What benefits had He bestowed? He chose them to be His people and revealed His name to them. He heard the cries of those in Egypt who suffered under their oppressor, stepped in on their behalf, and liberated them. He struck Egypt’s firstborn and brought Israel out with great power. He parted the Red Sea, allowing Israel to pass through its depths, while casting Pharaoh and his forces into the sea. He guided them through the wilderness, providing them with every necessary good. He defeated mighty kings before them and granted the land as an inheritance to His servant Israel. Thus, 'He brought them to the mountain of His sanctuary, to this mountain, which His right hand hath wrought. He drove out nations before them and apportioned their land by lot... and the tribes of Israel took residence in their appointed places' (Psalm 77:54-55). Yet 'how many times they afflicted Him in the wilderness, and angered Him in the land of the dry' (Psalms 77:40), as recorded in the writings of Moses. When they entered the promised land, 'they still tempted and provoked the Most High God, refusing to keep His commandments; they turned back and betrayed Him, like their forefathers, becoming unfaithful. They angered Him with their high places and vexed Him with their idols. God heard and looked upon them with wrath, and greatly humbled Israel' (Psalm 77:56-59). Before heaven and earth, their ingratitude is evident: 'Hear, O heavens, and take heed, O earth: for the Lord saith, I have begotten and exalted sons, but they have rejected Me. The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's crib; but Israel does not know, neither does My people understand' (Isaiah 1:2-3). God sent His prophets to guide them toward repentance and restoration to Himself. Yet Israel not only rejected them but also harmed them. Ultimately, He came to them in human form. The holy Evangelist laments, 'He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him' (John 1:11). They not only refused Him but also maligned, mocked, and killed the very One sent for their salvation. Regardless of Christ's efforts to call them to repentance, they remained hardened and unhealed. 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!' Finally, they heard God’s solemn warning: 'Behold, your house is left unto you desolate' (Matthew 23:37-38). 'Wrath has come upon them to the uttermost' (1 Thess. 2:16). Thus, the entire world witnesses God's righteous judgments, recognizing that their separation from Him is just. Christ's words were fulfilled: 'The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation producing its fruits' (Matthew 21:43). The Gentiles, whom the Jews despised, were called by God and welcomed into His kingdom, taking the place of those who turned from idols to serve the living God. Meanwhile, those who hypocritically honor God with their lips but deny Him through their actions—who promised to serve Him at baptism but instead serve the devil—emulate the ungrateful Jews. The admonitions given to the Jews by the prophets, and by the Lord Himself for their unrighteousness and lack of gratitude, are equally applicable to false Christians today. Christians have taken up the mantle that once belonged to the Jews. They have the scriptures in their possession, yet they choose not to live according to God’s teachings. They profess acceptance of Christ but oppose Him through their actions. They listen to preachers as if they were messengers sent from God, yet they resist following their guidance, and worse, they revile and curse them. Therefore, just as the Jews have been reprimanded before the world in the accounts of the saints, so too will the ungrateful and false Christians be admonished before the holy angels and the chosen of God on the Last Day at Christ's Second Coming. The kingdom of God will be taken from them, and all the saints will witness and acknowledge the just judgment of God. For all that one has done, said, plotted, desired, and sought in this life shall follow them into the next, revealing itself during the Judgment of Christ. Good deeds, evil acts, hidden actions, words, and intentions will be laid bare for all angels and humanity, as St. Basil the Great noted in his ‘Epistle to the Fallen Virgin.’ Let us be vigilant, Christians, and produce worthy fruits of repentance. May our sins not confront us at the Judgment of Christ as adversaries accusing us; let us erase them now through sincere repentance and tears. Let it not be said to us then: 'Behold a man and his works!' Woe to the man whose sins will be exposed to the world’s shame, for he will be recompensed according to his deeds.
Human beings often receive numerous blessings from others, and when they reflect upon these favors, they inherently think of the one who granted them, expressing their love and gratitude to that individual by sharing their appreciation with friends. A heart filled with thankfulness continuously acknowledges the benefactor and their gifts, while an ungrateful heart neglects both the blessings and the giver. This is illustrated in the account of the ungrateful Israelites: "And they forgot his favours and the wonders he showed them" (Psalm 77:11).
As a result, a thankful person often recounts the generosity of their benefactor to others, recounting the kindness shown to them, such as the construction of a home, provision of clothing, or liberation from various troubles. This demonstrates that their heart is truly appreciative of that individual. Similarly, a Christian ought to consistently remember God and His myriad blessings, declaring within their soul: "My God created me and brought me from nothingness to existence, and gives me countless good things."
The sun, the moon, and the stars that illuminate my path by day and night do so at His command, guiding me away from harm, and how bereft I would feel without their light, akin to someone in darkness! The very air I inhale and exhale is a gift from Him, sustaining my life, and I would vanish without it, even for a brief moment. The clouds, like bellows, transport water and nourish the earth, serving me through His grace. What use would the productive earth and the seeds planted within it be without the rain from above? Without this, the land would lie fallow, and both I and my livestock would face starvation, just as occurs during droughts and famines.
An instance of disbelief is illustrated by the children of Ephraim. Those who are entrenched in immorality are often unresponsive to sound doctrine and refuse to repent. This is evidenced by the afflictions imposed by God, which serve as proof that the Ephraimites were cast aside. The manifestation of divine wrath is evident in their retreat during battle, despite being warriors known for their valor and, as the prophet clearly states, their proficiency with bows. It is disgraceful for any soldier to flee, and even more so for one who, equipped with arrows, has the ability to strike from a distance while remaining safe from retaliation. Thus, God's anger is made manifest, as He not only withheld His support from the Ephraimites but also instilled fear within their hearts.
The specific battle referenced is unclear, though it may relate to the account found in 1 Chronicles 7:20. The prophet further clarifies the reason for the severe judgment upon the sons of Ephraim: "They did not keep the covenant of God, neither did they want to walk in His law." While this transgression was not unique to them, the prophet deliberately highlights the Ephraimites as a prime example of God’s retribution, since this tribe, excelling in numbers, strength, and wealth, had significantly spread its wickedness throughout the nation. Hence, the prophet aims to caution the general populace against being misled by the allure and prestige of the Ephraimites. He does not chastise them for a trivial sin; instead, he condemns them for holding the entirety of God's law in contempt and for violating the covenant. While he addresses both concepts together, he emphasizes the covenant first to convey that his criticism encompasses not only the moral code but also the whole of divine worship, faith, prayer, and piety, which were grounded in their adoption as God's people. He labels the children of Ephraim as breakers of the covenant due to their failure to uphold the terms on which they entered into it. He makes an appropriate addition regarding the law, which embodies this covenant. The gravity of their sin is further heightened by the phrase "not wishing," implying that their transgression was not due to ignorance or mistake, nor driven by the blind allure of irrational desires; rather, they willfully and maliciously broke God’s sacred covenant. Such treachery was indeed monstrous, unique to the Israelites, for it is unfathomable that Satan could have so deceived them into turning away from God, to whom they were immensely indebted, unless they had forgotten the multitude of miracles that were meant to bind them in obedience and reverence to Him, just as physical chains would. To eliminate any possible excuse for their sin, the prophet recounts these miracles in a manner that highlights their extraordinary nature, ensuring that they were unforgettable. Yet, the Israelites chose to willfully blind themselves to the glory of God manifest in these wonders.
This Psalm, attributed to David and rich in prophetic insight, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, so that he might communicate it for the enlightenment of all, highlighting the countless blessings bestowed by God Almighty upon the ungrateful people of Israel. It serves as a rebuke for their ingratitude and aims to encourage others to express gratitude for the immense and indescribable love of God, particularly as it is revealed through Christ the Lord, who believes in His name. In this psalm, David speaks in a voice that represents Christ to the Christian faithful, urging them to pay attention to the law of the Gospel (Chrysostom, Theodoret, Athanasius).
While the message of this psalm has relevance for the Jews, it is now primarily directed towards the followers of Christ: the old covenant serves as a foreshadowing of the new. The Saviour calls upon His people to listen attentively, ensuring that they do not suffer the same consequences as their Jewish ancestors, who disobeyed God. He instructs them to carefully examine the law of the Gospel and to listen to the prophecy from within their hearts (Chrysostom, Theodoret). Although the Jewish people were formidable, they faltered during the moment of Christ's Passion due to their lack of faith. The tribe of Ephraim, in particular, was unfaithful to God, having succumbed to the idolatry of the golden calf and leading other tribes into this sin. As a result of their betrayal, God stripped them of their valor: despite their expertise in archery, they became fearful, retreated, and were defeated in battle. Ultimately, they were taken into captivity and dispersed among the nations (Theodoret). Despite seeing their total surrender to worldly wisdom and their unwillingness to repent, God showed mercy to the Jews. In His great compassion, He chose not to annihilate all of them in the wilderness, but instead spared and honored them. Humanity, characterized by flesh and prone to passions and corruption, sees the Spirit depart and not return until the second coming.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS