QT 5/5/2023 2 Sam 24:18-25, Offerings that count

2 Samuel 24:18–25 (ESV) —

18 And Gad came that day to David and said to him, “Go up, raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 19 So David went up at Gad’s word, as the Lord commanded. 20 And when Araunah looked down, he saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. And Araunah went out and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground. 21 And Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be averted from the people.” 22 Then Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood. 23 All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king.” And Araunah said to the king, “May the Lord your God accept you.” 24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.

 

NOTE: A sacrifice that costs nothing is worthless. All sacrifices should cost a person something. The two greatest measures of worth are our time and our money. There is a third, it is our affection. Time and money measure our effort (physical and mental). Affection is also measured similarly but with an additional emotional component. And so, mind, heart, and will are ultimately what we should be sacrificing for God. I could retire easily if I did not give financially to the Lord (or so my flesh thinks). And even in retirement, I will have to give up things that won't fit in the retirement budget (subscriptions, entertainment, labor saving services). I think financial giving will be more a sacrifice when I retire then it is today. Giving my time will probably be a joy. I enjoy ministry. And God already owns my heart and affections. I think I am ready. It will be a challenge, but God will meet all of my needs, as he has through the years.

 

PONDER:

1. Do we fool ourselves by offerings that require no sacrifice?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am unworthy of where I am today. You have blessed me far more than I deserve. I am exceedingly blessed. I can't wait to be full-time on your staff. Help me to make wise decisions in the year ahead.

QT 5/4/2023 2 Sam 24:10-17, Where is my home?

2 Samuel 24:10–17 (ESV) —

10 But David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.” 11 And when David arose in the morning, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, 12 “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the Lord, Three things I offer you. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’ ” 13 So Gad came to David and told him, and said to him, “Shall three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider, and decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me.” 14 Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

15 So the Lord sent a pestilence on Israel from the morning until the appointed time. And there died of the people from Dan to Beersheba 70,000 men. 16 And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was working destruction among the people, “It is enough; now stay your hand.” And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 17 Then David spoke to the Lord when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father’s house.”

 

NOTE: The passage is confusing, so let's start with what we know. God allows Satan to incite David to number Israel. Technically, the King was allowed to perform periodic census. The rules are provided in the Pentateuch. It's possible then that David did not follow the instructions correctly. It is also possible that the judgment was against David and Israel. And, so David rightly felt guilt for falling to Satan's temptation. It may even had been a test of David and Israel that God allowed.

 

What followed was a judgment against all Israel whereby David could choose from 3 years of famine, 3 months of fleeing from Israel's enemies, or 3 days of plague. David chose the latter, the punishment without a human intermediary and the shortest. Probably all three would have resulted in the same number of deaths, 70,000.

 

God then gives instructions on stopping the plague. David was to build an altar on a threshing floor. Later this would also be the site of the temple.

 

As I look back on my own life, I remember three difficult years where our son required intensive unit care. It ended on his third birthday (the day they finally removed the trachea tube), although the emotional pain took a while to let go. I never thought of the significance of the exact three years. Was it a test or a punishment? None of us are ever so innocent that we ae not guilty to deserve the worst punishment. But a test seems to fit better. We learned a lot in those three years that have changed how we approached life. We have lived life with an open hand -- God owns it all (that's the altar -- the sacrifice of what I want out of life). As I transition into retirement, I must not forget the lessons of those three years, best expressed in this song:

 

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

 

PONDER:

1. Am I preparing to serve God or am I preparing to serve myself?
2. If I can't or don't serve God in my retirement, why am I here?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for those three years. They still bring tears to my eyes every time I recall them, but the fact that it was exactly three reminds me of how you cared. I'm not one who believes in signs, but is a glimpse into a powerful truth. You are in control and have a plan for me in my latter years.

QT 5/3/2023 2 Sam 24:1-9, Remembering that God is involved in everything

2 Samuel 24:1–4,9 (ESV) —

1 Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” 2 So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, “Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.” 3 But Joab said to the king, “May the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are, while the eyes of my lord the king still see it, but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?” 4 But the king’s word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel. … 9 And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: in Israel there were 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000.

 

NOTE: "Again" hearkens back to the action of the Israelites against the Gibeonites (21:1-14). There is sin in Israel and God is judging the sin. Early in 1 Kings, there is a brief mention of the nation sacrificing on the high places, but it is not clear if that is the sin or not. Considering that David's reign was a time of great blessing, my thought is that Israel was living as if God did not matter. In their wealth and riches they had forgotten God. This is a common theme in scripture. The "Census story" is also told in 1 Chron 21:1ff. There it says that "Satan incited" David. It is not a contradiction and is best understood from the book of Job. In Job, God gives Satan permission to inflict David (first with catastrophes and then with physical infirmities). Satan performs the actions. But in Job 2:3 (ESV), God says "He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason," meaning that God takes responsibility for the actions ("me (God) against him (Job)). And God gives Satan more credit than is his due, because after chapter 3, Satan is never mention in the context of what happened. He was actually only a tool. In Chapters 38-42, God takes full responsibility, and we find that God's actions were not capricious (or emotionally incited). In fact, we find that although God commended Job's integrity previously, Job did in fact have two major faults -- He depended on his own knowledge and his own strength. In characteristic Jewish chiastic fashion, Joab at the end repeats those very things (in reverse order):

 

Job 42:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Then Job answered the Lord and said:

2 “I know that you can do all things,

and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

4 ‘Hear, and I will speak;

I will question you, and you make it known to me.’

5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,

but now my eye sees you;

6 therefore I despise myself,

and repent in dust and ashes.”

 

So whether it is Satan incited or directly from God, it is the same thing (note that in Job 1, it is God who brings up Job's name, not Satan). God has allowed something for his reason and purpose. For the believer, and only the believer, Rom 8:28 is our promise.

 

Romans 8:28 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 

Going back to where we started, what is the cause? We don't know. But we do know and believe that God knows what he is doing and our response is repentance and trust.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I forgetting God?
2. Is life good, and am I so busy with the good life that I have forgotten that I have been saved by grace, and that I have a mission and purpose here?

 

PRAYER: Father, I always want to be thankful for everything I undeservedly have. And I want to make sure that I am committed to being a witness by loving and sharing the gospel, and by making disciples.

QT 5/2/2023 2 Sam 23:18-38, Be wary of evil

2 Samuel 23:18–24,38 (ESV) —

18 Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three. 19 He was the most renowned of the thirty and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three.

20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. 21 And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and won a name beside the three mighty men. 23 He was renowned among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David set him over his bodyguard.

24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, … 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

 

NOTE: Unlike the previous three, who are just named the "three," this list does contain a number of names that are known (notoriety) and retold in the story of David. Of interest is that while Joab's brothers, Abishai and Asahel, are mentioned as part of the "thirty," Joab is not. And yet Joab was the commander of the Armies of Israel. Joab was the most famous, but he never did a deed that put him in the list. The stories that are given here and in the previous paragraphs sound as if being among the thirty was the equivalent of the "Medal of Honor" or the "Army Cross." Apparently Joab never did anything on that scale, although he was certainly brave. Joab's struggle was not loyalty to David, but it was loyalty to himself -- which is called selfishness. He did whatever he had to do to maintain his position and power, often underhandedly.

 

The last name on the list is the saddest name of all. In David's sin and with Joab's complicity, one of the thirty, Uriah, was murdered so that David could cover up his sin. And maybe that is another reason Joab is not among the thirty. Joab did not discern right and wrong. David could, unless he was so caught in sin and emotion that he forgot righteousness. It almost happened against Abigail's husband, and it did occur with Uriah, a loyal friend to David.

 

What is the lesson here? The measurement of our life is seldom a single event, although a single event can define you. The measurement of life is the sum of the events. The negative events always outweigh the positive. One sin can destroy a lifetime of good. There is forgiveness and hope as in David's case, but that is not always the case. It means that as men we must be extra vigilant that we are wary of all the schemes of the evil one (Eph 6:11). As God said to Cain,

 

Genesis 4:7c (ESV) —  … sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

 

PONDER:

1. What are the schemes that the enemy is even now planning against me? Do I see them? Do I see the opportunity? Am I too near a fence? Am I blinded to my own sin? Am I about to be burned?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know the enemy is at the gates, but I don't see what he might be planning. As David prayed, so do I …

Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV) —

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

Lord, by myself, I will fail. Protect me from the evil one as Jesus taught us to pray.

Matthew 6:13 (ESV) —

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

I desire to be a mighty man of God. Protect me. Lead me. Have mercy on me. I pray.

QT 5/1/2023 2 Sam 23:8-12, Mighty Men for God

2 Samuel 23:8–12 (ESV) —

8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time.

9 And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew. 10 He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the Lord brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain.

11 And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. 12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.

 

NOTE: Here are the three most famous warriors for David, Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar son of Dodo, and Shammah son of Agee. There are a number of things to observe about these men. First, they are not mentioned by name anywhere else in the history of David. They were servants, not attention seekers. They did not use their skills for their vain glory. They were content to serve God in the service of David. Secondly, they were skilled in their art. They achieved some incredible successes. But coupled with their skill in the art of combat is the third point, in two of the three stories, their physical success is followed by the phrase "the Lord brought about a great victory." They were good and trained to be good, but they did not depend upon that. They trusted in God because they believed they were fighting for a greater good.

 

Obscure, skilled, and faithful to God. It sounds like the perfect combination for a man of God. We need to be humble. We need to study ourselves to be skilled in our art. We need to trust God that it is he who gives the victory, not our skill or our abilities.

 

PONDER:

1. How am I doing at being humble?
2. How am I doing at improving my skills and abilities?
3. How am I doing at trusting God?

 

PRAYER: Father, I can do better in all three areas. As my job changes in retirement, I need to reconsider the skills that I will need to develop -- how can I share my faith better? What can I do that gives me those opportunities? Lead me and guide me in the changes you have set out for me.

QT 4/28/2023 2 Sam 22:44-51, Finish well, give everything your best effort

2 Samuel 22:44–51 (ESV) —

44 “You delivered me from strife with my people;

you kept me as the head of the nations;

people whom I had not known served me.

45 Foreigners came cringing to me;

as soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me.

46 Foreigners lost heart

and came trembling out of their fortresses.

47 “The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,

and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation,

48 the God who gave me vengeance

and brought down peoples under me,

49 who brought me out from my enemies;

you exalted me above those who rose against me;

you delivered me from men of violence.

50 “For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations,

and sing praises to your name.

51 Great salvation he brings to his king,

and shows steadfast love to his anointed,

to David and his offspring forever.”

 

NOTE: For all that David went through and suffered, some from evil men and some because of his own failures, in the end, he was blessed. It doesn't matter the title or the position at the end of your life. What matters is to hear God say "well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful in many things." As I get close to my final days, I can know how each of the seasons of life have gone. And no matter how things have turned out so far, the most important season is the one you are in now. If life ended today, I believe I have been faithful. But I have another season beginning soon, and I must be just as vigilant to live for God in the next season as I have in the last. I'm itching to get started. But, I must also finish this last one correctly. I have two more months. I pray for grace to finish strong.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I giving the things that God has put before me my best effort -- my job, my family, my walk with God, my ministry?

 

PRAYER: Lord, I do need to give my best. I don't want to ruin my witness in the final days of my job. Have mercy on me I pray.

QT 4/27/2023 2 Sam 22:32-43, Everything in life requires we see God in it

2 Samuel 22:32–43 (ESV) —

32 “For who is God, but the Lord?

And who is a rock, except our God?

33 This God is my strong refuge

and has made my way blameless.

34 He made my feet like the feet of a deer

and set me secure on the heights.

35 He trains my hands for war,

so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

36 You have given me the shield of your salvation,

and your gentleness made me great.

37 You gave a wide place for my steps under me,

and my feet did not slip;

38 I pursued my enemies and destroyed them,

and did not turn back until they were consumed.

39 I consumed them; I thrust them through, so that they did not rise;

they fell under my feet.

40 For you equipped me with strength for the battle;

you made those who rise against me sink under me.

41 You made my enemies turn their backs to me,

those who hated me, and I destroyed them.

42 They looked, but there was none to save;

they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them.

43 I beat them fine as the dust of the earth;

I crushed them and stamped them down like the mire of the streets.

 

NOTE: God is the focus and the source of David's success. David did not sit back and just wait. He trusted and trained and went into battle. And he believed God and gave God the glory for his success. Even in his prudence -- his training and planning -- he trusted God.

 

My days in the corporate world are coming to a close. I feel as if my battle has run into a wall that cannot be brought down. It is the foolishness of this age that God has given this nation over to. As John laments, "how long, O lord?" so I too lament. I have done my due diligence and now I must be equally diligent about my new "job." I will pour myself and time into discipleship and honing my speaking and writing skills. I will continue to learn and grow, even in my past math/science skills. I will work, but not for a corrupt system, but for God, whether it be discipleship, gardening, woodworking, or projects around the house. I will do all for the glory of God. I will continue to train myself on how to share the gospel in innovative ways. I'm not quitting, I am changing jobs -- my retirement is my new job.

 

PONDER:

1. I need to develop a plan of action for my days. While I have freedom to change, I need to prudently develop a plan that I can give to God.

 

PRAYER: Father, lead me and guide me in these last two months. As I respond to my current bosses, I pray I would not be flippant, but respectful. I have a good witness, I do not want to lose it because of some frustration. Lead me, guide me, have mercy on me, and be gracious to me, I ask.

QT 4/26/2023 2 Sam 22:26-31, Real faith is evidence by works, but not necessarily the other way around

2 Samuel 22:25 (ESV) —

25 And the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

according to my cleanness in his sight.

 

2 Samuel 22:26–31 (ESV) —

26 “With the merciful you show yourself merciful;

with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;

27 with the purified you deal purely,

and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.

28 You save a humble people,

but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

29 For you are my lamp, O Lord,

and my God lightens my darkness.

30 For by you I can run against a troop,

and by my God I can leap over a wall.

31 This God—his way is perfect;

the word of the Lord proves true;

he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

 

NOTE: I think David's argument "my cleanness" is a variation of James' argument in the New Testament. You need both. Works can show that faith is at work in you. If there are no works, was there ever any faith?

 

James 2:14–20 (ESV) — 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

 

As a result of David's faith, he could do great works. He could run against a troop or leap over a wall. God his refuge but not because of works. The works confirm his faith. Works are not faith. And neither is faith, works. If we are not seeing a continual change in our life, year over year, then we are not being sanctified by Christ. If we are not being sanctified -- works within (changed life) and works without (impact on others) -- were we ever justified? And if we were not justified by faith, we have no hope in glorification.

 

It starts with faith but faith is confirmed by works.

 

PONDER:

1. Can I point to changes in my life that confirm I have faith?
2. Can I point to changes around me that confirm I have faith?

 

PRAYER: Father, I fear that too many in the church are dead logs, sitting in the pews on Sunday, but no different from anyone else on Monday. They are not changing and becoming like Jesus. They have no idea what it means to "taste and see that the Lord is good." They are religious and destined to hell. Open their eyes and help them to see their sin so that they can repent, turn to you, believe, and receive the Holy Spirit within them.

QT 4/25/2023 2 Sam 22:8-25, God will answer all those prayers for justice some day

2 Samuel 22:8–9 (ESV) —

8 “Then the earth reeled and rocked;

the foundations of the heavens trembled

and quaked, because he was angry.

9 Smoke went up from his nostrils,

and devouring fire from his mouth;

glowing coals flamed forth from him.

…

2 Samuel 22:17–20 (ESV) —

17 “He sent from on high, he took me;

he drew me out of many waters.

18 He rescued me from my strong enemy,

from those who hated me,

for they were too mighty for me.

19 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

but the Lord was my support.

20 He brought me out into a broad place;

he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

2 Samuel 22:21–22 (ESV) —

21 “The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness;

according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.

22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord

and have not wickedly departed from my God.

…

 

NOTE: The next three sections could be entitled, God's entrance, God's rescue, and God's reason. The entrance is long and frightening. In everyday life, we seldom see that entrance. But there is a time of justice coming, and it will look exactly like that. It will be as close as one can come to dying by fear -- overwhelming fear will come upon his enemies. And we see the rescue in the second section. In the end times, this will precede the coming of the day of the Lord in order to spare us the wrath and fear. The third section is God's reason. David says that it is his righteousness, but it is not based upon works but rather upon his faith. True, his works do reveal his faith, but David is not saving himself as the passage tomorrow will show. David's righteousness is by faith, just as Abraham's was, and just as ours is.

 

PONDER:

1. That day is coming and the best part is that we will be snatched before the great and awesome day of the Lord. Reflect on how fortunate we are to be saved from that terrifying day.

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for salvation. I am undeserving of your mercy. My faith has given me the righteousness of God. I am clean. I am not guilty. I am no longer deserving of punishment -- it all has been paid.

QT 4/24/2023 2 Sam 22:2-7, Living by faith

2 Samuel 22:2–7 (ESV) — 2 He said,

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

3 my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation,

my stronghold and my refuge,

my savior; you save me from violence.

4 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,

and I am saved from my enemies.

5 “For the waves of death encompassed me,

the torrents of destruction assailed me;

6 the cords of Sheol entangled me;

the snares of death confronted me.

7 “In my distress I called upon the Lord;

to my God I called.

From his temple he heard my voice,

and my cry came to his ears.

 

NOTE: This is a Psalm outside of the psalms that encompasses many other songs of David. Early in the passage we see repeated images which give us insight into David's reliance upon God. David calls God a rock, a fortress or stronghold, and a deliver or savior. David could stand firm because he stood upon the rock. David always had a place to turn for protection. And David always had a savior who would come to his aide when he needed. In the next part, the imagery starts out as an ocean of waves that continually break against the shore. It never seems to end. David always felt that he was only a step from death. Something or somebody was always trying to trip him up. And the third part shows David's secret. God was always there, he could hear him. He did not need to be at the temple. He did not need to take the ark into battle. God was always one prayer away, and always aware.

 

The struggle, is that the statements are true but don't seem true. God does not answer when we call, or at least it seems that way. God does not hear or at least does not seem to hear. We are not delivered or at least not when we want to be delivered. But that is there where faith is most important, because the "seem to" is the real illusion. The statements are true even when the appearance is not to our liking. He does hear; he does answer; he does deliver. Below are my three favorite verses which say exactly the same thing.

 

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) — 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) — 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I have faith? Or am I just trying to control God for my good?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am entering a new phase in life. I have planned prudently, but it is meaningless if I do not trust you. This last phase of life has to be live for you just as the preceding phases. There is no time off. I am here for your purpose, help me to see it, do it, and fulfill it.

QT 4/21/2023 2 Sam 21:15-17, Sometimes prudence is a better choice

2 Samuel 21:15–17 (ESV) —

15 There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. 16 And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.”

 

NOTE: The theme of this section seems to be God's protection of David during his reign. Since the Jews organized things thematically, these four stories are difficult to place in the timeline, and at least one of the stories seems to contradict an earlier version (there are a number of reasonable explanations including copyist errors to explain the differences). All four stories probably occur much earlier than the Bathsheba-Uriah incident. In this passage, the Philistines have a chance to kill David and came at him forcibly to the point where he was completely exhausted, at which point Abishai rescues him. Afterwards, the troops would not let David fight with him -- not because he couldn't fight, but because it gave the enemies such an important target. Throughout the book of 2 Samuel, we see the troops holding David back.

 

Certainly God could and did protect David, often miraculously. But prudence is why God gives us minds to think. A counter example is Jehoiakim, a godly king who went to war against Egypt and died in battle. The book of Romans says that God's works all things for good to those who love him. God is in control, in the sense that he works within the actions of men and women to achieve his plan. It is a balance, but nothing happens that God cannot bring good or bring into alignment into his plan. He is not surprised by our stupidity, our faith, or our prudence. The application is: trust God and use the mind God gave you.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I acting in faith or testing God in actions where prudence might dictate a different response? Am I sure God is leading?

 

PRAYER: Father, give me grace to do the right thing, to trust you when I need to and to be prudent when I need to. Help me to differentiate. Lead me and guide me, I ask.

QT 4/20/2023 2 Sam 21:5-9, The Justice of God was satisfied by Jesus

2 Samuel 21:5–9 (ESV) —

5 They said to the king, “The man who consumed us and planned to destroy us, so that we should have no place in all the territory of Israel, 6 let seven of his sons be given to us, so that we may hang them before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the Lord.” And the king said, “I will give them.”

7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because of the oath of the Lord that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 8 The king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; 9 and he gave them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the mountain before the Lord, and the seven of them perished together. They were put to death in the first days of harvest, at the beginning of barley harvest.

 

NOTE: This story is ugly and repellent. But it is completely in line with OT law which specifies curses on the nation for disobeying the law and supported "eye-for-eye" punishments. This is the difference between the law and grace. In the New Covenant, Jesus has satisfied the need for justice between us and God. That was not so in the OT, and Israel experienced the Deuteronomy chapter 28:15-68 curses multiple times in its history because of its failure to obey. Justice is important to God. It is why the NT term, propitiation, is also critical in understanding what happened at the cross. Jesus satisfied the wrath of God on the cross (propitiation). People like to talk about God's love, but they fail to realize that the cross was not just about love, but it was about justice.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I appreciate how Jesus has satisfied the wrath of God against my sin?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the love that sent your Son into the world. And thank you that his death satisfied your wrath against me for my sin. I am undeserving of such grace.

QT 4/19/2023 2 Sam 20:15-22, Unchecked emotions

2 Samuel 20:15–22 (ESV) —

15 And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. 16 Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’ ” 17 And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 18 Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. 19 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?” 20 Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

 

NOTE: The solution is elegant, clean, and distasteful. I really can't blame the wise woman or Joab, Sheba is the cause. He is a hot head who let his anger overcome him. He would be the person committing road rage if he lived today. So, in one sense, we feel for Sheba, they seem destined to destroy themselves. Was it their family, their upbringing, some crisis that brought Sheba to the point of uncontrolled anger? It is important to have relief valves for our emotions, not just anger but all emotions. And the best relief valve is prayer. The second best is a friend who can challenge the excesses. If not, it is only time before a catastrophe will occur. Today, this world has much anger and no relief valves. Crimes are being committed and people are dying because they lack hope and the most excellent of relief valves, a relationship with God. That is why we must pray so much, so that people can see that our lives are not consumed by anger but by the gentle peace that comes only from God.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I have a daily habit of prayer?
2. Are my prayers rote or relational?
3. Do I truly know God or do I just say it without knowing what it means?

 

PRAYER: Father, this world needs your true sons and daughters to live in a manner that is amazingly different. We can't do it without time with you. Continue to speak to my heart. Root out the garbage. Give me the peace that surpasses all understanding.

QT 4/18/2023 2 Sam 20:4-10, Being prayerful, not just prudent

2 Samuel 20:4–10 (ESV) —

4 Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself.” 5 So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him. 6 And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.” 7 And there went out after him Joab’s men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier’s garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out. 9 And Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died.

Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.

 

NOTE: Amasa had commanded Absalom's forces in the treasonous rebellion against David. And, for some reason, he was delayed in his return. A positive take on the passage (from Joab's point of view) is that Amasa was not fully on-board and wanted to see Sheba's rebellion succeed. Since Absalom's failure was not going after David immediately, David did not want to repeat that mistake, hence the need for speed but Amasa is for some reason delayed. Ultimately Joab kills him for being a traitor or still being a traitor. The negative take is that while Joab may have thought Amasa a traitor, he was more interested in retrieving his position as commander of the armies of Israel. He likely was demoted for disobeying the King's orders to spare the "boy." And so Joab's motives were most likely wrong, even though his previous actions (killing Absalom) were probably better. But commanders are not allowed to question a direct order of the commander-in-chief. He can make independent decisions on the battlefield, but Joab's decision to kill Absalom would not pass the "sniff" test (it doesn't smell right). In some ways, we could say that David is succeeding in spite of himself. His decision to appoint Amasa in order to appease certain elements within his own tribe, does not appear to be a good one.

 

I think in most situations in life, things don't go as planned. There are too many variables, there is too much sin, and we have an enemy who does do as we think, but opposes us. Plans are good, but ultimately we must depend upon God for the result. We need to be prudent, but even more important than prudent is prayerful.

 

PONDER:

1. I have laid out many plans, but have I laid out many prayers?

 

PRAYER: Father, I look forward to this new venture in my life, this new phase. Lead me and guide me in how I am to use my time. I want to serve you, not myself. Help me to be attuned to your will and your Spirit's leading.

QT 4/17/2023 2 Sam 19:31-37, The gift of giving

2 Samuel 19:31–37 (ESV) —

31 Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim, and he went on with the king to the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. He had provided the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 And the king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will provide for you with me in Jerusalem.” 34 But Barzillai said to the king, “How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am this day eighty years old. Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or what he drinks? Can I still listen to the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you.”

 

NOTE: I suppose as I approach retirement, passages of "old men" appeal to me. Barzillai was 80, aged, and of immense service to David in his time of need. He was a wealthy man and funded David's staff and army while David was over the Jordan. There is no single rule when it comes to wealth. Barzillai's wealth allowed him to be useful in God's plan, but I don't believe God would have used him if he was just collecting funds and not already giving. Those people are rarely generous. The truly generous are those who have made a lifetime of giving to others.

 

Most of the verses in the new testament when they deal with rich men are negative. Riches are a great danger. And true riches are found in eternal things, not temporal. One of the few positive verses is found in one of Paul's last letter written to his spiritual son, Timothy.

 

1 Timothy 6:17–19 (ESV) — 17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

 

There is a lot in this passage. There are principles for wealth in this and the story of Barzillai.

1. Proper handling of wealth requires a lifetime of generosity (inferred from Barzillai)
2. Wealth can lead to haughtiness and pride. The wealthy need to take active steps to remain humble, to see themselves as no more deserving than anyone else
3. Wealth can cause us to put our hope in our riches and not in God. The wealthy need to pray, more than anyone, because it is not their riches which gives them confidence, but God
4. Wealth can cause us to live for ourselves. The wealthy need always be thinking on new ways to use their wealth for good works
5. The desire for riches can cause us to be selfish. The wealthy need to be generous and always ready to share. This takes a lifetime of practice, and is not just money, but time
6. The wealthy need to store up treasure in heaven. Every use of the funds God has given stores up an even greater treasure in heaven

 

Today, I would have to admit, that I am wealthy. But will I be wealthy tomorrow? If I am, then I must never forget the principles that have brought me where I am today.

 

PONDER:

1. Which of the six principles is a weakness in my life?

 

PRAYER: Father, I do enjoy giving; but my retirement will seemingly reduce my giving. I know that if you provide more, that is just more to give. And if you don't, there is still much that I can give. I would love to be a Barzillai who refreshes the saints. And I will be, as much as I can be.

QT 4/14/2023 2 Sam 19:19-27, The dangers of sin

2 Samuel 19:19–27 (ESV) —

19 and (Shimei) said to the king, “Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” 21 Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” 22 But David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” 23 And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath.

24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. 25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said to him, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ For your servant is lame. 27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you.

 

NOTE: There are opportunists and liars and schmoozers in life. There always has been and always will be. Who can tell the truth? In one sense, does it really matter, since God will judge all men someday? But our sense of justice is aroused when we perceive someone getting away with a lie. We are like Abishai, demanding that our judgment be executed against those that lie. Even in celebration, Abishai found things to complain and be negative about. David, instead, chose to focus on the positive things. Once again, David was King of Israel. Liars will pay the price some day for their sin. God is not fooled. You can fool people, but you are only fooling yourself when you live in a lie. And all lies are sin, and the wages of sin is death. We die to real life every time we sin -- every time we lie, and every time we complain.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I realize the life-killing power of my sin? Do I take sin seriously?

 

PRAYER: Father, protect me from the evil one and his schemes. Help me to see danger ahead of time. Keep me from his traps. Lead me in the way you have planned for me.