Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

78:32-39 In Spite of All They Saw, They Still Sinned. The mighty works of God described in vv. 9-31 should have been enough, but they were not: In spite of all this, they still sinned, they did not believe. This section focuses on the judgments with which the Lord disciplined his people, again and again seeking to lead them to repentance. When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly, yet their repentance was not deep and sincere (v. 36, they only flattered and lied in their professions of faith), so it did not last: their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant (v. 37; cf. v. 8). However, God did not do what one might expect, namely, wipe them out and start over: even though he could have purged them of unbelieving members, he did not destroy them, he did not stir up all his wrath. All this was because he is compassionate, and therefore he atoned for their iniquity (v. 38, which means that he accepted the sacrifices that they offered and conveyed his blessing of forgiveness).