I Will Open My Mouth in a Parable (Psalm 78:2)
2022-09-24
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old (Psalms 78:2)
This is fulfilled in Jesus Christ in Matthew 13:34-35. Jesus spoke many parables throughout His ministry on earth. This was mentioned after He spoke several parables concerning the kingdom.
When you go to the source of this prophecy, we see this psalm of Asaph discussing the parables as a way to tell succeeding generations about the works of the Lord so that they would not be forgotten. “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done” (Psalms 78:4). The parables were stories of history that were meant to teach the people the mistakes of their ancestors. The succeeding generations had to learn not to be foolishly rebellious as their predecessors: “And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God” (Psalms 78:8).
The psalm goes into detail about the generous provision of the Lord followed by the rebellious response of the people. However, the cycle of rebellion does not end until the end, where we read:
And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever. He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. (Psalms 78:69-72)
However, in history, we know that rebellion continued long after David. This ultimately speaks of the great descendant of David, the Branch, who will establish His kingdom. Here in Psalm 78:69-72 is how Jesus fulfills this prophecy. He will end the cycle of rebellion in the heart of humankind.
In addition, the parables of old all point to Christ, just as the parables of Christ Himself taught did.