This chapter is Moses’ song about the Lord and His people. From verses 3-4 the modern chorus ‘Ascribe greatness to our God the Rock’ comes. This highlights the character and therefore the great faithfulness and reliability of the Lord. Being the Rock the Lord is not moved, He remains constant and secure for His people in every situation of life.

By contrast to the Lord’s faithfulness, we have the corrupt ways of His people highlighted (v5). They quickly forget the Lord and all that He has done for them (v6-14).

In days of comfort and blessing, the people became fat and careless regarding the Lord (v15-18). The people turned away to false gods. This provoked the Lord’s wrath and jealousy (v19-27).

People sometimes struggle with the idea of God being jealous. Jealousy is a right and proper from the Lord in the same way a husband would be jealous of his wife going home with another man.

Idolatry is the same as spiritual adultery and the Israelites too quickly fell into it. We always need to be careful as to what would snare our affections and take our love away from the Lord who has given so much for us.