Psalm 83 (written by Asaph) is a powerful testimony to the importance of Israel and God's character, but in ways that are often unexplained or remain obscured by the seemingly looming conflict against Israel by her immediate neighbors. What if God was speaking to us through this short Psalm, but not just about a physical conflict looming over Israel? Don't get me wrong, the majority of this 18-verse Psalm does speak of an apparent war against Israel, but the whole Psalm reveals much more about the Jewish people and their God than most people take the time to find out. What is fascinating is that it is all found outside of the verses describing the enemy nations.

1. ISRAEL MATTERS
   Anyone reading their Bible in context and using consistent historical/grammatical hermeneutics can only conclude that Israel matters to God and if we claim that God matters to us, then, Israel should matter to us. In verse 3, "They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones." Israel is referred to as "God's people" or "God's treasured ones." In other places, Israel is referred to as "The apple of God's eye" (Zechariah 2:8.) In Deuteronomy 28:9-10, the Jewish people are "called by the name of the Lord."
   Incidentally, because Israel matters to God, He will not hesitate to discipline her when needed, and describe her faults as well when He calls Israel "a stiffed-neck people" (Exodus 32:9), or "a rebellious people" (Ezekiel 2:3.)
   
   
2. ISRAEL SHOULD EXPECT TO HAVE RELENTLESS ENEMIES
   Asaph is clear in verse 4, "They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more.” Israel's enemies want to destroy all the Jews on the planet and take over the Land of Israel to turn it into Palestine. This verse reads like a contemporary statement from Hamas, Hezbollah or Iran. To them the only good Jew is a dead Jew. In Esther 3:5-6, Haman also seeks to destroy all the Jews because of Mordechai's refusal to bow to him. Psalm 83 confirms that Israel should expect relentless enemies, because as long as they are the chosen people of God, they will remain the chosen target of Satan. At this point in human history, expect it only to increase exponentially.
   
   
3. HURTING ISRAEL IS AKIN TO HURTING GOD
   Perhaps a key verse in the entire psalm, verse 5 reveals that the enemies of Israel are the enemies of God. They want to hurt God, so they will hurt His special people, "For they have conspired together with one mind;
   Against You they make a covenant." Often, those who seek to hurt someone, realize that they might not affect their target the way they want, so they decide to hurt the ones that their target loves and cares about. Harass me and I will most likely walk away not seeking confrontation or retaliation. Harass my wife or kids, and it is a whole different story. The enemies of God (including Satan) find great pleasure and fulfillment in hurting Israel and the Jews. Could it be because they hate God?
   
   
4. WE CAN PLEAD WITH GOD
   Asaph didn't hesitate and neither should we. He started his psalm with a plea to the God of Israel, "O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still." What gives us the right to "plead" or "argue" with God anyway? We are His children and the least He expects is communication between Him and us. We do it through prayer to thank Him, praise Him, make request for ourselves, and others (intercession.) God listens and He cares, but we must be in the right position to make requests. Are we humble, contrite and in His will or are we asking in the flesh? It will make a big difference. We also need to keep in mind that even if we are properly positioned, God might choose not to answer our plea at the time or ever. It is His prerogative.
   
   
5. GOD WILL DESTROY ISRAEL'S ENEMIES
   The psalm closes with Asaph requesting for God to go after the enemies and destroy them as we see in verses 13-15, "O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like chaff before the wind. Like fire that burns the forest
   And like a flame that sets the mountains on fire, So pursue them with Your tempest And terrify them with Your storm." We know that we serve a just God. He will not let any guilty party go unpunished. In fact, He promises to catch up with all those who hurt Israel (Zechariah 12:9.)
   
   
6. REPENTANCE IS ALWAYS AN OPTION
   Even Asaph, in the midst of his request for punishment, understand that as just as God is, He is also compassionate and never wants for one soul to perish if at all possible. In verse 16, we read, "Fill their faces with dishonor, That they may seek Your name, O Lord." Repentance is always an option as long as we are alive. It is no different for the enemies of Israel. If they repent and have a change of heart, God will spare them. Repentance must be genuine though. Words are not enough, they must be followed by heartfelt deeds. Repentance is needed for the enemies of Israel, but also for the friends of Israel and Israel as well. Only through our turning away from sin and toward God can we be considered by the Almighty.
   

Psalm 83 teaches us a lot more than a potential regional war between Israel and her 10 neighbors. That war or something similar to it might very well take place in the future, but regardless, God remains God, Israel will never be forsaken or destroyed (Jeremiah 31:35-37), and Israel's enemies will be stopped (Zechariah 12:9.) In Psalm 83, we can glean so much from the wisdom of Asaph and the character of God.

* to share this article . . .