Read
Psalm 78:19
Yes, they spoke against God. They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
17Yet they still went on to sin against him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert.
18They tempted God in their heart by asking food according to their desire.
19Yes, they spoke against God. They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
20Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people?”
21Therefore the LORD heard, and was angry. A fire was kindled against Jacob, anger also went up against Israel,
Notice
A table in the wilderness sounds like a picture of hope, yet here the question about it becomes a challenge against God despite provision already received.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What difference do you see between asking God for food and the challenge described here?
Write on thisWhat past help comes to mind as you read about water flowing before the question about bread?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 23:5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.Both speak of God preparing a table amid hardship: Psalm 78 questions his ability, while Psalm 23 declares his provision.
John 6:9“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?”Both contain a question about food where available resources seem unequal to the need.
Numbers 21:5The people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, there is no water, …Both describe people speaking against God in the wilderness over food.
Numbers 11:4The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly; and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, “Who will give us meat to eat?Both record Israel questioning the source of food, with the surrounding psalm naming the same desire for meat.
Exodus 16:3and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill …Both record Israel's complaints about food in the wilderness, where hunger becomes grounds for accusation.
Exodus 16:8–10Moses said, “Now the LORD will give you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to satisfy you, because the LORD hears your murmurings which you …Both identify Israel's complaints about food as speech against God himself.
John 11:21Therefore Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.Both connect divine help with a concrete need, though Martha speaks about her brother's death rather than wilderness food.
Numbers 20:3The people quarreled with Moses, and spoke, saying, “We wish that we had died when our brothers died before the LORD!Both record Israel's protesting speech, though Numbers names Moses as the person they quarrel with.
Numbers 11:13Where could I get meat to give all these people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’Both raise a question about obtaining food for the people, with the surrounding psalm sharing the demand for meat.
Job 34:37For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”Both describe words against God in passages that name rebellion.
Revelation 13:6He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, his dwelling, and those who dwell in heaven.Both describe speech directed against God, though Revelation names blasphemy rather than a challenge about food.
Romans 9:20But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”Both portray a question as speech against God: one challenges his provision, the other his right as maker.
Where this verse fits
Job loss or money fear. doubt. sermon or Bible study notes.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
God had already provided water in the desert. This warning deserves care: Israel questioned his power even while recounting what he had done.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 78:19. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
Keep goingPsalm 78 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).