Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
Psalm 78:36 describes Israel's poor return for God's rich blessings and many benefits. They worked constantly against a good God, complaining when trials came and forgetting God as the source of their strength. In its setting they did not trust God to give food that would preserve health and bless them, but despised angels' food and cried for meat.
They received their own desire, yet were slain in wrath while the meat was still in their mouths, and still sinned and did not believe His wondrous works. When He slew them they sought Him and returned and inquired early after God and remembered that God was their Rock and the high God their Redeemer. That seeking is what flattery with the mouth and lying with the tongue means: professing loyalty with words while unfaithful, without true connection of heart, because their heart was not right with Him and they were not steadfast and faithful in His covenant.
Their return to God after punishment was insincere, not from a right heart but repentance only under rebuke and chastisement. Through disobedience they were brought into the state that was the sure result of their own course of action, falling again under temptation through self-indulgence and self-gratification. Even so in full compassion He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them, many times turning His anger away and not stirring up all His wrath.
Those who have Bible religion with Christ abiding in them and them in Him will not flatter God without heart connection but will stay connected to the source of all wisdom and power. They will continually advance in the divine life, become strong in Christ Jesus, and become sanctified through fully receiving truth of heavenly origin.
Psalm 78:36 describes Israel's poor return for God's rich blessings and many benefits. They worked constantly against a good God, complaining when trials came and forgetting God as the source of their strength. In its setting they did not trust God to give food that would preserve health and bless them, but despised angels' food and cried for meat.
They received their own desire, yet were slain in wrath while the meat was still in their mouths, and still sinned and did not believe His wondrous works. When He slew them they sought Him and returned and inquired early after God and remembered that God was their Rock and the high God their Redeemer. That seeking is what flattery with the mouth and lying with the tongue means: professing loyalty with words while unfaithful, without true connection of heart, because their heart was not right with Him and they were not steadfast and faithful in His covenant.
Their return to God after punishment was insincere, not from a right heart but repentance only under rebuke and chastisement. Through disobedience they were brought into the state that was the sure result of their own course of action, falling again under temptation through self-indulgence and self-gratification. Even so in full compassion He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them, many times turning His anger away and not stirring up all His wrath.
Those who have Bible religion with Christ abiding in them and them in Him will not flatter God without heart connection but will stay connected to the source of all wisdom and power. They will continually advance in the divine life, become strong in Christ Jesus, and become sanctified through fully receiving truth of heavenly origin.