May 27, 2017
God sent the prophet Nathan to rebuke King David for his sin with Bathsheba. Certainly, the focus of the story is on David’s sin and repentance, and God’s faithfulness and forgiveness. Yet, the prophet Nathan’s role in this story is worthy of consideration too.
What manner of man was Nathan? First, he didn’t hesitate to carry the Lord’s rebuke to David, declaring him “the man” who in his parable had taken the poor man’s lamb, which in reality was Uriah the Hittite’s wife. Nathan’s parable was so well conceived that David didn’t suspect that he was its subject until he had unknowingly pronounced a death sentence upon himself. Yet, Nathan didn’t hesitate. The moment David reached his judgment, Nathan declared him “the man” deserving such judgment. Nathan boldly fulfilled his prophetic office, risking his own life to declare such a thing to the king. Remember what happened to the prophet John the Baptist when he rebuked King Herod’s sin? He ended up with his head on a platter (Mark 6:27-28)!
Nathan didn’t hesitate to rebuke sin, even if a king was the focus. But he also was quick to declare the Lord’s forgiveness when David confessed his sin without excuse. A good prophet will not hesitate to rebuke sin, nor is he slow to offer the message of forgiveness to those who are willing to repent.
Praying for preachers today to have the boldness of Nathan, unafraid to rebuke sin no matter where it occurs. And also praying that they would have the gentleness of Nathan, quick to offer the message of forgiveness to those who repent.
May 26, 2017
Who is Mephibosheth?
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, the son of King Saul, who was five years old when the news came about their deaths in battle. His nurse was fleeing with him to hide when “he fell and became disabled” (2 Sam. 4:4). Now, perhaps 16 years later, King David called for him.
Surely he was terrified as he limped into the king’s throne room and fell prostrate on his face before the king. Middle Eastern custom would have suggested that David would slay all remaining descendants of Saul in order to secure his own throne. Yet, while the crippled Mephibosheth lay face down, trembling with anxiety, he heard King David say, “Fear not. For I will surely show you kindness for your father’s sake, and you shall eat bread at my table continually” (2 Sam. 9:7).
Who is Mephibosheth? First, we must understand David’s identity. For David was a type of Christ, and his behavior towards Mephibosheth foreshadowed the kindness of Christ towards us. Mephibosheth had fallen and was crippled all his days. He was from the House of Saul, who had made David his enemy, trying to kill him. It was a scandalous thing that King David would seek to find Mephibosheth and then invite this crippled, former enemy to eat at the same table as one of his own sons. Yet, this is exactly what David did.
Who is Mephibosheth? We are. We are fallen and crippled by sin. We have been enemies of God. Yet Jesus Christ, the Son of David, has sought us out and found us. He has invited us to eat continually at the King’s table as one of the Father’s own sons.
May 25, 2017
The instruction of wisdom begins with a proper fear of the Lord. Wisdom understands that God made us, sustains us, always watches us, and will one day demand an accounting of us. Understanding the attributes and works of God, wisdom rightly has an appropriate fear of God. The fear of God goes hand in hand with humility before God. The one who bows in humility and lowers the eyes in respect, will be honored and blessed by the Lord. But the stiff-necked fool who honors himself will be opposed (James 4:6).
May 24, 2017
There are ears that don’t hear. Not because they are physically deaf, but because they refuse to listen to correction. The ears of the fool filter out rebuke, but the wise are teachable, listening to constructive criticism. Those who are hearers and doers of the Word, will abide with the wise.
May 23, 2017
After Abner was murdered by Joab, King David made it clear to all Israel and Judah that he had nothing to do with his death. The way David honored Abner, the deceased general of Israel’s army, persuaded the people of David’s integrity. And even though it was David’s general Joab who killed Abner, the people did not hold it against David.
David was not only anointed of God to be king, the Lord had also given him favor with all the people. For of what other political leader could it be said, whatever he did “pleased all the people”? After years of persecution by King Saul, David finally enjoyed the favor of God and of God’s people.
Yet, it can’t be said that David was a people-pleaser. No. He sought to please God, and the Lord gave him favor with the people of God. David led with integrity and the Lord honored him with favor.
Oh, to have a king like David today! Yet, there will soon be One even greater than he. His name is King Jesus, Son of David. He is the true “Anointed One,” and He will soon return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
May 22, 2017
“David inquired of the Lord.” This was a mark of David’s reign. But he not only “inquired,” he also obeyed, as the next verse reads, “So David went.” He asked the Lord for direction and then he followed the Lord’s direction.
Sounds simple doesn’t it? Yet, most people fail at either the first or the second action. Either they fail to seek the Lord’s wisdom before making a decision, and just act in ignorance. Or they have received knowledge of the Lord’s wisdom, but choose to follow their own way instead.
Hearing and obeying God’s Word are inseparably important. Choosing to ignore either, will ultimately result in disappointment. Yet, living a life both hearing and obeying God’s Word leads to divine blessing.
May 21, 2017
When John reflected back on the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Spirit brought to his mind this Messianic prophecy from Zechariah concerning how the Lord would come to Zion. The name “Zion” (or “Sion”) is a synonym for Jerusalem. And Jesus entered Jerusalem, “sitting on a donkey’s colt,” just as it was prophesied.
John and the other disciples “did not understand these things at first.” The Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Christ weren’t in the disciples minds in the moment of His ministry with them. But after Jesus was raised from the dead and glorified, the disciples began to understand how all that He had done was in fulfillment of the Word of God.
Remember how the risen Christ taught the disciples on the road to Emmaus? “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). Jesus opened their eyes to the truth of His purpose in fulfillment of the Father’s Word.
The Spirit of Christ is ready to teach us too concerning the ministry of Jesus, if only we will have ears to hear.
May 20, 2017
King Saul, the first king of Israel, who had begun so well, finished in fear and dread, ultimately committing suicide. The young, tall and awkwardly humble Saul (remember him hiding among the baggage), had grown to be the old, prideful and painfully paranoid king. Yet here, when he saw and heard from the shade of Samuel, we see the humbled and broken man as he was.
When Samuel asked why Saul had “disturbed” him, Saul stooped with his face to the ground and replied, “God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore.”
How tragic it is to see the decline of one who was blessed of God, but took his eyes off of the Lord that blesses, to put them on the blessings themselves. It is a heartbreaking reminder to keep our eyes on the Lord, especially as we grow older. It is good to begin well, but even better to finish well for the Lord!
May 19, 2017
Samuel was the last of the judges and with his passing, Israel transitioned from the time of the judges to the time of the kings. Samuel was the greatest Israelite leader since Moses. He was a forerunner of the Messiah, bearing the threefold titles of prophet, priest and judge. He served the Lord faithfully from his childhood until his death. Both he and Jesus were described as growing “in stature and in favor with God and man” (1 Sam. 2:26, Luke 2:52). No shortcoming stains his biblical record.
But Samuel died and was buried. All Israel “lamented for him.” And their lament continues as they continue to await the coming of the Messiah.
Yet, the Messiah has already come. For Jesus is the fulfillment of Samuel’s threefold ministry and every other prophecy and foreshadowing in the Old Testament. One greater than Moses and Samuel has already come. He died, but was raised up on the third day and lives today!
Oh, that all Israel, and all those far from God, would cease their lament and recognize the One who has conquered sin, death and the grave. Jesus Christ is the Messiah. He is our Prophet, Great High Priest and King of Kings!
May 18, 2017
Abiathar, son of the high priest, Ahimelech, must have been left behind to care for the sanctuary when Saul called for his father’s attendance. When he heard that Saul had killed all the Lord’s priests, he fled to David.
Saul had falsely accused Ahimelech of “inquiring of the Lord” to aid David against him. But now by killing the Lord’s priests, he had actually driven Abiathar to David’s side, bringing the ephod, with the Urim and Thummim, with him (1 Sam. 23:6).
Saul’s killing of the priests was one of the most heinous acts of any Israelite king. It revealed his heart’s rejection of the Lord. Saul’s foot soldiers, who ran beside his chariot, refused to carry out his order to murder the priests. They feared the Lord, but Saul knew one who did not. So, Saul called on Doeg the Edomite to kill them. Doeg turned and killed not only the 85 priests, but went to their city and killed every living thing including women, children and nursing infants. That Saul would stoop to instruct an Edomite, to even touch the Lord’s priests, showed the insane hatred he had for the true king, David.
Centuries later, the son of an Edomite named Herod became king over Israel as a vassal of Rome. After hearing of the birth of the prophesied Son of David from the Magi, he murdered every baby boy under 2 years of age in Bethlehem attempting to kill Jesus. But he failed, for the Lord protected Jesus, just as the Lord protected David.