Psalm 77: The Children of Jacob and Joseph

Today’s reading is Psalm 77.

When the psalmist turns from self-centered memories to remembering the mighty works of God, he writes in vs. 15, “You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph” (ESV).

No doubt, referring to Jacob and Joseph calls to mind the northern tribes and recognizes the ultimate unity between Judah and Israel. However, I think there may be more to this reference. Why refer to the nation by these names in this psalm?

Because the psalmist remembers he isn’t living in a vacuum. He is a descendent of Jacob and, if not a direct descendent of Joseph himself, Joseph was an exemplary patriarch of the entire nation. When the psalmist simply thinks about his own life and his own memories, the past good times, the blessed days, all he can think about is what he’s lost. He can only wonder if God has abandoned him.

But then he remembers his identity. He is not just “Asaph,” he is a child of Jacob and Joseph. What do these men have in common? They had been taken out of their homeland. They had been misused and abused. Jacob was mistreated by his father-in-law. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers and taken prisoner in Egypt. Yet, how did it work out for both of these men? In the end, God, working through them, brought His people into the Promised Land.

Yes, things are bad in this psalm for the psalmist and for all of the nation. But they are children of Jacob. They are children of Joseph. The very stories of their ancestors remind them God is with them even when they go into the far off lands. God will give them favor. God will deliver them. God will settle them in His homeland.

We too are children of Jacob and Joseph. Not because we are biological descendants of Israel, but because we come from the same spiritual stock. At times our lives go in directions we don’t understand. At times, others will take advantage of us and mistreat us. At times, we may even be wrongly accused, abused, imprisoned. But God is always with us. Let us remember who we are. Let us remember how our God works. Let us hang on to Him as did Jacob and Joseph.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 77.

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How does Psalm 77 prompt or improve your trust in God.