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GOD’S ANOINTED: Like Father, Like Son

Published December 10, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: Absalom, David

OR, REAPING WHAT YOU SOW

2 Samuel 13—18

David was a great man, but his sins were also great. The awfulness of sin is always plainly seen by God, who is offended by each transgression we commit, whether against him or another human being. Most of the time we are oblivious to sin’s true hideous nature. Thanks to Christ’s redemptive work, no Christian will ever be condemned on account of his sins—

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

However, while we stand forgiven, that sin has not gone unnoticed by God, and He allows us to experience the consequences of our sins to show us how truly despicable they are in his sight. As painful and as humiliating as those consequences may be, the sin that precipitated them is far worse in the sight of God.

In the case of David, he not only committed adultery with another man’s wife, he was directly responsible for her husband’s murder. Furthermore, his sin caused the name of God to be disdained among other people. An immediate consequence of the adulterous affair was a baby boy, who also became the first consequence of the sin, losing his life.

How this must have broken David’s heart! Generally, David’s heart was upright before God, and as we read his psalms we sense that was his strongest desire; to be righteous and pure. Yet when David became wealthy, powerful, and influential, he began to stray from the path of dependence on God, which is produced by faith. David, though loving God and loved by God, was a deeply flawed man, and his flaws are seen no clearer than in the life of his son, Absalom.

John Donne wrote,

No man is an island unto himself. Are we all part of the string of life?

The fruit of David’s iniquity was passed on to his offspring, to Absalom, especially. David’s partiality for Absalom brought with it a host of even more consequences for the House of David. How painful is it to see the man who conquered a giant driven from his own home and throne by his beloved son, and that allowed by God? If God had not allowed it, it would have never happened because David, remember, was God’s anointed to lead Israel. It reminds us of what the prophet Daniel learned—

[H]e sets up kings and deposes them. (Daniel 2:21)

The terrible things David experienced during the latter years of his life demonstrates the justice of God, for God’s Word is like a sharp, double-edged sword that cuts deep, as the king is learning. But make no mistake: David and Yahweh were bound together like no other. It was because of that transcendent relationship that David was allowed to feel the pain of sin the way God does.

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child.” (Hebrews 12:5, 6)

I’d like to take the focus off David and place it on his son, Absalom. David was not a sterling example of fatherhood, but Absalom serves as a beacon of warning to all who would be seduced by the lust of the eye and the pride of life. Let’s consider the following:

1. Absalom’s natural advantages. 14:25

In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.

This young man had it all! Not only was he the son of a king, but he was drop-dead gorgeous to boot! Too bad what was in his heart was so ugly; what a contrast!

From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness. (Isaiah 1:6)

If the story of Absalom teaches us anything it is that hereditary advantages or disadvantages don’t make or break a person. Starting off well in life may be desired but a good start doesn’t guarantee a good end. A runner may start well ahead of the pack, but still lose the race.

Absalom had so much going for him; he was Mr. Personality, the consummate politician—

Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel. (15:6)

And he thought nothing of taking his father’s kingdom from him. We can see how Absalom felt about his father with this single verse—

Absalom lived two years in Jerusalem without seeing the king’s face. (14:28)

Absalom, the son David loved so much, wanted nothing to do with his father. David never saw his grandchildren, yet they were all living in the same town.

2. Absalom’s vengeful, deceitful attitude, 13:23—28;

Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” (13:28)

Absalom’s murder of his brother Amnon took place a full two years after Amnon raped Tamar. Two years of silent hatred festered in Abaslom’s heart. On the outside he was calm, cool, and his words were like honey, but deceit lurked in his heart. This handsome, talented, young man had everything going for him, but a horrible event—the rape of his sister—caused hatred and bitterness to lodge themselves in his heart. He had all kinds of resources at his disposal to take care of this, but he waited two full years to catch his brother off guard and kill him.

The question is, why? Why did Absalom take matters in his own hands and dispense the kind of justice he felt was necessary? The bigger question, which provides the answer to the first question, is, where? Where was David while all this was going on? Like so many Old Testament fathers, David was missing when his family needed him the most. David was real good at acquiring wives and producing children, but he was no father.

Here we see how David’s sin had woven itself into the fabric of his sons. Just as he had taken Bathsheba, so Amnon took the woman he lusted after, his sister Tamar. Instead of disciplining Amnon as God had David, he is missing in action, leaving Absalom to avenge Tamar’s “living death” as a shamed old maid. To Absalom’s way of thinking, his sister had to be avenged and his brother had to be punished. Who wouldn’t think that? The problem was, Absalom was acting exactly like his father did on so many occasions; doing the right thing in the completely wrong way. There was a way to take care of this situation, but murder wasn’t it.

Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. (Romans 10:3)

Absalom may have looked the part, but his actions belied the fact that he was not a godly man in any way. He was outwardly perfect, yet inwardly horribly deformed.

3. Abaslom’s second chance, 14:33

So Joab went to the king and told him this. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom. (14:33)

Fleeing to Geshur to escape the wrath of his father, it would be a number of years before Absalom would be restored to David’s favor, thanks to the influence of cousin Joab.

David was a man who knew well that God is a God of second chances. And third chances. And fourth chances! He had experienced the magnanimous side of God many times in his life. Now Absalom has been given, by the grace of God, a second chance at a fresh start in life.

What would Absalom do with this second chance? If experience is a good teacher, then many of us could answer that question without reading on. God has given man multiple chances to get right and time and again man has snubbed his nose at God’s good graces.

4. Absalom’s arrogance, 15:1—6

And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” (verse 4)

David’s grace and the love of a father turned Absalom even more against his father. An unregenerate sinner will turn the grace of God into a license to sin. Absalom had been blessed by his father and he had taken those blessings to enhance his own pride and glory. In fact, we might say that, while God the Father had given the kingdom of Israel to David, Absalom was about to take that kingdom from his father to make it his own. He hated his father so much; he wanted to be just like him.

5. Absalom’s rebellion, 15:10

Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ ”

The inner, secret purposes of Absalom’s heart are now exposed. David’s beloved son has now openly declared himself an enemy of the state; he wants the kingdom to himself. Why wouldn’t he? David hasn’t disciplined him for murdering his brother. Absalom played the part of a father in taking care of Tamar. Why not just go all the way be king; what’s David going to do anyway? Write a psalm about it? Open rebellion against the will of God—David was put on the throne by God—is always the fruit of a secret, self-centered life.

He had his followers, and verse 11 describes them succinctly—

Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter.

They were ignorant! They didn’t know anything! But they made Absalom feel good. A narcissist like Absalom always has his sycophants, but having followers and having people fawning all over someone doesn’t make that person right.

6. Absalom’s untimely death, 18:9—14

When one of the men saw what had happened, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.” (18:10)

It was father against son for a while. And for a while, the son eclipsed the father.

A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.” Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.” (15:13—14)

Absalom’s plan was now complete. He had taken over the palace; the kingdom was his. But it wasn’t Absalom’s plan. Remember what Nathan the prophet told David—

Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’ (12:—-)

Compare that to what Absalom did—

So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. (16:22)

In the course of time, Absalom, trying escape David’s men, got his hair all tangled in a tree and was left hanging there.

Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. (18:14)

Those who strike out against God and who stubbornly pursue their own will face forces they never dreamed of. Absalom never thought for a moment he would be hanging in an oak tree by his hair! A believer puts himself in a very precarious position when he steps out of God’s will for they step away from His protection.

Joab, for his part, did what he thought was right in getting rid of this usurping trouble maker. But vengeance belongs to God.

7. A sad dad, 18:33

The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”

David loved his son, no doubt. In fact, in all likelihood David was the only one shedding tears for Absalom that day. The depths of a father’s love can never be plumbed or understood.

Absalom was not easy to love. He was a hateful son to his father and an arrogant, narcissistic, self-centered man. Verse 18 shows the height of his folly—

During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, “I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.” He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

He erected a great pillar; a kind of tower of Babel on a smaller scale, yet in an ironic twist, we read this—

They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest and piled up a large heap of rocks over him. (verse 17)

The man who thought nothing of his father, was treated as less than nothing in his death.

Yet David mourned greatly for this lost son. This is a picture of the love of God who, while we were yet sinners, sent His only Son to die for us. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, as He weeps today over those who are lost. God’s love is always ready to manifest itself in the forgiveness of sins. Sadly, there are many like Absalom, who disregard this amazing love, preferring to pursue their own selfish desires.

(c) 2009 WitzEnd

GOD’S ANOINTED: The Biggest Mistake of His Life

Published December 1, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: adultery, Bathsheba, David, God's Anointed

2 Samuel 12:1—14

The story behind 2 Samuel 12 takes place in the preceding chapter. David, it seems, was the kind of person who had to learn life’s lessons the hard way. He learned how to show due reverence to the holy things of God, but that lesson cost another man his life. In 2 Samuel 11, David learns the price a man pays for an adulterous affair; another man dies, as does a baby.

The sad story of David’s dalliance with Bathsheba reminds us of what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:12—

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

One of the many lessons we learn from the story of David and Bathsheba is that backsliding never begins with an overt act of sin, but always in the secret thoughts of the heart. Another very comforting lesson is that Christians, like David, may backslide and fall out of fellowship and favor with God, but they don’t cease to be His children any more than the prodigal son ceased to be his father’s son, despite his sin.

One can’t help but compare how God dealt with Saul with His treatment of David. Both men sinned and both men were at least complicit in the deaths of others, yet Saul was stripped of his kingdom and his sanity while David was forgiven. Here is another powerful lesson; a man may sin and sin grievously; against both his God and his fellow man, yet if he humbles himself and asks for forgiveness, he will receive it.

1. Anatomy of a fall from grace, chapter 11

After his prolonged romp with the Philistines, one would think that David had learned his lesson about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet he is about to make the same mistake again. With this one single sin, David shatters three commandments:

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife—David did covet Bathsheba
You shall not commit adultery—David committed adultery with Bathsheba
You shall not commit murder—David had Bathsheba’s husband killed.

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. (11:1)

When the time had come to fight, David stayed home in ease while he sent others to do his fighting for him. At ease and luxury and in indolence, David fell easily into sin, as was the case when he sought rest among the Philistines. By now, the King was no longer living in faith, rather, he was selfishly living for himself.

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (11:2—4a)

In contrast to his soldiers off on the field of battle, David was in bed taking a siesta! Literally, this incident probably occurred in the late afternoon, which explains why David could see this beautiful woman so clearly. God’s anointed, overcome with passion completely forgot to heed the warning which he should have known so well—

[R]emember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. (Numbers 15:39)

Many generations later, David’s virgin-born Descendant would condemn this kind of voyeurism for the sin that it really is—

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)

David saw her, he wanted her and he got her. Before the king sent for Bathsheba in 11:4, he had his men get all the information about her, including her marital status; David knew full well this woman was married, but that didn’t stop him from having her brought to him and sleeping with her.

Evil begets evil, one sin leads to another, and Bathsheba became pregnant with David’s child. The king, in a panic to cover up his sin, eventually had Bathsheba’s husband killed in battle. While he didn’t personally kill Uriah, David is as guilty of murder as surely as if he was the one who did the deed. What makes this incident so sad is that Uriah was a Hittite, not a Jew, and yet he was almost certainly a devoted follower of Jehovah, for his name means, “Jehovah is my light.” Sir Walter Scott, wrote these words in 1808, that perfectly describe this whole sordid mess:

O what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.

When Bathsheba heard of her husband’s death, she observed the traditional period of mourning, which was a period of seven days, and immediately after that David did the “honorable” thing and took her into his harem. The man, who was content to be given his kingdom, thought he must seize by force another wife.

Lest you get the idea that Bathsheba was somehow snookered into this, it is highly likely David did exactly what she wanted; Bathsheba seems to have been a very ambitious woman indeed, and was a willing partner in the king’s guilt. She would control David’s life in many ways until the end of his life (1 Kings 1:11—31).

These two despicable sins stained Israel’s anointed king, but apparently did nothing to his conscience at all. This whole affair might have gone unnoticed, except for one inescapable fact:

But the thing David had done displeased the LORD. (11:27b)

David is about to learn another painful fact of life: sins accumulate and they never go unnoticed.

2. The fruit of David’s sin, 12:14

But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die.

The marrying of Bathsheba was a vain attempt to make right his sin in the sight of God. It serves to this day as a classic example of how man tries to correct his mistakes his own way, foolishly hoping God will honor the attempt. We learn from chapter 12 in very graphic fashion the truth of these words:

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

God had to break David’s spirit, and here is how He did it:

God exposed the secret sin, verse 7. The minute Nathan the prophet said those fateful words, “You are the man,” David knew the jig was up. Just as Christ was pierced with our sins, so we must be pierced with conviction, and the fastest way to get convicted of sin is to have that sin exposed. Make no mistake, sin cannot be covered up indefinitely; the truth will come out.
God forgave the sin, verse 13, 14. David fessed up and confessed to the sin, although he had no real choice. He confessed, the Lord accepted the confession and He forgave David. His repentance was immediate and complete; David neither excused the sin nor did he try to justify it or cover it up. For the first time, David saw his sins the way God did, and that broke the king’s spirit. The divine and just penalty for his sins was remitted and Nathan the prophet assured David that he would not die.
God allowed drastic consequences despite His forgiveness, verse 14. Even though David was forgiven, there was a terrible consequence that would follow: the child born of adultery would die. Some people see this as such a harsh judgment; the child had done nothing wrong, after all. However, we need to understand the gravity of David’s sin. It was not adultery and it was not murder. Note verse 14 carefully as it appears in the KJV—

But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.”

That was the real sin. This is the greatest sin of all; when the conduct of a believer causes unbelievers to mock and deride and blaspheme God. The death of the child would forever point to a sin-avenging, just and holy God. The death of David and Bathsheba’s son occurred a year or so after the sin was committed, so some time had elapsed before Nathan confronted David and exposed his sin.

3. Lingering consequences

It may be that during the year or so that elapsed between David’s sin and his judgment he thought his indiscretion was overlooked by God. Maybe his marriage to Bathsheba was enough. Unfortunately, God cannot be mocked, and His word is final. God keeps His promises; all of them. Promises of blessings and also promises judgment will come to pass.

After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. (verse 15)

The child became sick. Had David learned his lesson this time? Apparently so; David fasted and prayed for the boy’s recovery. Night and day he hoped and prayed, but to no avail; sin must always be atoned for. When the boy died, the servants were amazed at the change in David—

“While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (verses 22, 23)

Indeed David learned his lesson, but even more than that, here is we see why David was treated so differently than his predecessor, Saul. That last sentence shows the kind of faith David had. Despite his sin and failings, David still had faith in God because the Holy Spirit still resided in Him. How else could a father resign himself to the death of his son? David knew the boy went to be with God, and he knew that one day he would see his son in glory. If there was every any doubt where the spirit of a child goes upon their death, let that doubt be gone! David knew, and so should we.

The consequences of David’s one night of illicit passion, however, extended well past the death of his boy. His sin haunted him all the days of his life—

Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ “This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’

The awful aftermath of sin is now revealed. Because David had used the sword of the Ammonites to kill Uriah, violence would forever be a part of the house of David. Because he had secretly taken another man’s wife, his own wives would be taken from him publicly. And these lingering consequences would be all the worse because they would come, not from strangers and enemies, but from his own family.

Sin against others is always sin against God.

Conclusion

What happened to David should cause all of us to fall to our knees and thank God for Jesus Christ! He bore the judgment of all our sins. We will never be judged for our sins, in this world or the next, like David was, because of Christ’s sacrificial, atoning, and substitutionary death on the Cross. Yet, when we willfully cross the line and knowingly transgress the will and commands of God, we will face the natural consequences of our acts. God is gracious and merciful to forgive us, but the awfulness of sin must be seen and experienced so that we, like David, may learn the true cost of living for ourselves.

(c) 2009 Witzend

GOD’S ANOINTED, Doing the right thing the wrong way!

Published November 24, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: Ark of God, David, God's Anolinted

2 SAMUEL 6:1—16

In this chapter, we learn a very valuable lesson. In the Kingdom of God, there is only one way to approach God: God’s way. Our motives may be pure and we may be the kindliest of saints, but if we dare approach God any way other than His prescribed way, if we presume to do God’s work in any manner other than God’s manner as taught in the Bible, we might as well be playing a game of Solitaire for all the good it will do. In fact, as we will see, one man paid the supreme price for his ignorance of God’s will; his life was forfeit. Doing the right thing in the wrong way is no way to serve God.

1. A noble mission, 1 Chronicles 13:1—4

David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.

David, the warrior-king, wanted Jerusalem to be, not only the military and political capital of the nation of Israel, but the religious center as well. In order for that to happen, the centerpiece of Judaism, the Ark of the Covenant, needed to be brought to Jerusalem. The Ark, as you will recall, was the visible symbol of the presence of the invisible God, and a type of the Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh. Because Israel used it in a wholly inappropriate manner, dragging it into battle in hopes that it’s presence would bring victory, God allowed the Ark to be captured by the Philistines, a story recounted in 1 Samuel 4.

Arrogance, presumption and sin will always separate you from God, as Israel learned the hard way that day.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2)

Once the Ark was gone from Israel, so was God’s presence. David was determined to get it back, and he made a plan that paid lip service to God. Notice what 1 Chronicles 13:2 says—

He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the LORD our God…

I say David’s plan paid “lip service to God” because, as we shall see, the plan had very little to do with God. He was about to do the right thing in the wrong way, a decision he would very much regret. In 2 Samuel 4 we discover the attitudes of various kinds of men toward the Ark.

2. Those interested in form, verse 3

They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart.

Though not explained, there was a reason why the Ark was placed on a new cart. First, new cart or old, this was not how the Ark was to be transported. The Ark had staves but no wheels for a very good reason: it was meant to be carried personally by the priests, not transported on a cart. Numbers 7:9 describes the precise way to treat the objects dedicated to God—

But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.

This should have been known by David’s priest, Abiathar, but apparently either he forgot or was not consulted. But why did David use a new cart? Why not an old cart? Where did he get that idea? He certainly did not get it from inquiring of the Lord! God’s rules were spelled out in the Law. The only other time the Ark of God was transported on a new cart was when the Philistines moved it, according to 1 Samuel 6:7—8—

“Now then, get a new cart ready, with two cows that have calved and have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. Take the ark of the LORD and put it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering.”

Remember, David spent considerable time slumming with the Philistines when he was hiding from Saul. That was probably where he learned the wrong way to move the Ark. The application here is obvious. When a believer spends too much time where they shouldn’t be, they will pick up bad habits and bad worldly habits have a way of being baptized into our Christian lives, sometimes with the best of intentions. David motives were pure, but instead of doing the Lord’s work the Lord’s way, he tried to do it in a way that was first in his mind.

The Church of Jesus Christ cannot be treated in a purely mechanical, formal fashion, whereby its leaders baptize worldly ideas of leadership into it, hoping they will somehow work. Singing songs in hopes of ginning up a sense of worship is a worldly idea designed to appeal to the flesh. Engaging in all kinds of histrionics to manifest God’s presence is a worldly idea. We may invent new contrivances and implement new ways of “doing church” and put our faith in them, but if the burden of the Lord does not find a place in our hearts, then our cause is hopeless and we are on a fool’s errand. Better to stay home and cut our lawns and wash our cars than vainly attempt to drag God into our assemblies on a new cart.

3. Those who have too much confidence, verses 6, 7

When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.

The Ark was picked up and the two sons of Abinadab, in whose home it rested, walked along side. The procession started out in great joy and worship of God. We can only imagine the spectacle that day. The Ark was finally on its way to its permanent home in Jerusalem, David and all the people that were with him were singing and praising the Lord, accompanied by all kinds of musical instruments and all was now right with the world!

But that joy was short-lived. The oxen stumbled along the way and the Ark tipped and Uzziah did the first thing that came to his mind: put out his hand to steady it. Who wouldn’t do that? But the result of doing what appeared to be the right thing was sudden death, for human hands were never, ever to touch the Ark of God under any circumstances (Exodus 25:14—15; Numbers 4:15, 20; 7:9).

In Aesop’s fable of the Fox and Lion, we learn the valuable lesson that “familiarity breeds contempt,” and that was the lesson David and all Israel learned that day. Poor Uzziah; the Ark of God had rested in his home for years. We wonder how familiar his family had become with it. Obviously it held no fear if he wasn’t afraid to touch it.

Many of us today have become that familiar with the holy things of God, and when we become that familiar, we often lose our reverence and appreciation for Him, or His Word or His Church. And familiarity inevitably leads to contempt and presumption.

The Ark of God did not need Uzziah’s hands to steady it any more than God needed Moses’ help to part the Red Sea or Jesus needed Mary’s help to raise Lazarus. Many Christians today are feebly trying to “do God a favor” by serving Him in a manner of their own invention. Romans 10:3 should serve as a powerful warning to us—

Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

The result of Uzziah’s actions proved that he had not submitted himself to God’s righteousness. He may have thought he was doing the right thing, but what he had in his mind did not reconcile with the mind of God.

4. Those who are seeking, verse 9

David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?”

The Lord’s anger in verse 7 caused David to react first in anger in verse 8 then in fear in verse 9. The Psalmist understood this well—

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. (Psalm 111:10)

David may have started out indignant over the seeming harshness of God’s judgment, but that soon gave way to a proper fear or reverence. David was most anxious to have the Ark back in Jerusalem, just as many people today are anxious to call themselves “Christians,” but the awesome holiness and power associated with the Ark and his own sense of unworthiness, made David fearful.

Today there is such an emphasis on the “love of God” that many preachers have painted God as a doting old man who will tolerate even our most perverse sins because He “loves us!” Many “seekers” are attracted to that off-balance message because to their warped way of thinking God’s love means that they can have Him and their sin at the same time. But that is not how it works, and David understood this, finally. He realized that a “cooling off” period was necessary before he considered what to do with the Ark. Psalm 111 teaches a mighty life lesson if we care to see it. While wisdom begins with fear, it is the Word of God that leads to understanding. Right now David is full of fear and that leads him to a measure of wisdom. As he learns the precepts or the teachings of God, David will have understanding of God’s holiness.

4. Those who humbly believe, verses 10, 11

He was not willing to take the ark of the LORD to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.

So what to do with the Ark of God? David is afraid and so is all Israel. He decided to put the Ark in the home of Obed-Edom. David was afraid that the Ark would harm him, but apparently he thought nothing of giving it to Obed-Edom for safe keeping. Who was this man, Obed-Edom? He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 15:18—

Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.

He was one of many “gatekeepers.” That was a very humble position; his only job was opening and closing a door. And yet, he wasn’t afraid of the Ark! In fact, he apparently received it with great joy because we are told that God blessed Obed-Edom’s entire family! What a stark contrast: David and all of Israel celebrate while they manhandle and mishandle the Ark of God, but little Obed-Edom the door keeper and his whole house is blessed because the Ark is placed under his protection. Those who are humble and contrite have nothing to fear from either the Ark of God or the Son of God. Some people are fearful of having Jesus Christ come into their hearts; not because of who He is, but of what He will demand of them. Jesus Christ needs to be the Lord of our lives; He’s no gate keeper! We can learn a great lesson from Obed-Edom; we may accept Christ in faith, humbly acknowledging our unworthiness and hoping at most just to be safe in His presence. But with Christ, as with the Ark, when Christ comes in to a dedicated heart, blessings are sure to follow!

5. Those who have learned their lesson, verse 13

When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.

Eventually David learned about the blessings that had fallen on the house of Obed-Edom because of the presence of the Ark. Believing it was now safe to bring the Ark up the rest of the way, David proceeds with that plan. But, this time his plan is different because he learned his lesson. He did not invent another “new cart” with elaborate decorations and all kinds of pomp and ceremony to move the Ark; neither did he pay others to do the work. He went personally with the proper men for the task to be in the proper way. The Ark was born by men who were separated for just such a task.

The work of the Lord is to be done only by those who have been sanctified or set apart. God was not pleased when oxen moved the Ark and He is not pleased when those who don’t know Him try to do His work.

If we look at verses 14 and 15, we can sense the great joy and probably relief as the Ark entered the city without incident. Things always work out when they are done in accordance to God’s will.

Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

When God is worshipped and served in HIS way, extravagant joy follows. The reason is simple: when we approach God on His terms our worship will be based on Him and who He is and therefore our joy will be pure because God is pure. We can’t manufacture that by singing songs or banging our tambourines.

But there is another powerful application here; the Ark of God was as powerful in Obed-Edom’s house as it was in public. It blessed a family in private and moved a nation to worship in public. Shame on members of the Body of Christ who keep Him all to themselves; Jesus is Lord of our all our lives, not just on Sunday, and He deserves to be seen in our lives all the time.

6. Those on the outside looking in, verse 16

As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.

The exuberant worship that followed the Ark into town must have been something to behold! But not everybody got into the spirit of the proceedings. Michal, daughter of Saul and now wife of David was not at all impressed with spectacle of David’s worship. She is the perfect picture of one on the outside looking in, criticizing the Church of Jesus Christ. The things of the Spirit of God seem like foolishness to the worldly person—

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

This sounds a lot like what happened on the Day of Pentecost, doesn’t it? When the Spirit fell and the believers began to worship God on the streets of Jerusalem and speak in other tongues, some onlookers thought they were drunk!

Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” (Acts 2:13)

Of course, we expect that kind of criticism from the world, but sadly many people who are supposedly part of the Church say things like that about their fellow members. Any fool can be a fault-finder. Michal was a spectator, not a participant. Most criticism of the Church comes from those who just look in once in a while without ever joining in and taking part.

Those who stare at the Church or at other Christians from behind their windows and make judgments are as foolish as Michal. It is better to be a “fool for Jesus Christ,” though, than just a fool. Those who just look on see no beauty in Christ, or in our worship of Him, or in what a consecrated life looks like. Michal did not like to see anybody who was in love with God and there are people just like her today. Some of them even call themselves Christians!

Conclusion

So, what kind of person are you? Are you:

The person who wants to do something for God, talks about doing it according to God’s will, but then ends up doing it your own way?
The person who is only interested in what the form of worship looks like instead of being moved only by the Spirit of God?
The over-confident person who thinks you can approach God in your own way with no regard to His Word or will?
The person who is mildly interested in the things of God but the closer you get to Him the less you really want Him?
The person who is genuinely humble and willing to serve God in a lowly position; who is thrilled just to have the presence of God in your home?
The person who learned their lesson and is now living and serving God His way?
Like Michal, who had no regard for the things of God because she was on the outside looking in?

Be part of the God’s family. Serve Him with all your heart and mind and you will be graced with God’s presence all the days of your life.

(c) 2009 WitzEnd

GOD’S ANOINTED: King over all, finally

Published November 18, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: David, God's Anointed

2 Samuel 5:1—5

It was a great day for the nation of Israel when all the tribes gathered together at Hebron to make David king over them, a united people. He had been anointed king of the house of Judah, but now all Israel turned out to make David their leader. But it didn’t just happen by chance. Of course, the Lord had already chosen David to be Israel’s king long before this, but the crazy King Saul refused to step aside when God stripped the kingdom from him, and so he was allowed to just expire. It was really Abner’s wisdom and advocacy that caused this joyous day to occur:

Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. Now do it! For the LORD promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’ ” Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin wanted to do. (2 Samuel 3:17—19)

Even while Saul was occupying the throne in defiance of God, it was David who, in the main, was leading Israel militarily by faith.

This day was a long time in coming for David. There were many years, many challenges, many close calls, and some failures between God’s anointing of David and the realization of God’s promise to him. Sometimes this is case for believers; our lives unfold according to God’s will and according to God’s timetable, yet from our perspective it often appears as though God is slack in keeping His promises to us. But we need to be patient and faithfully trust in God; the person who is anointed with His Holy Spirit and who lives in faith will eventually see God’s glory manifested in their lives.

God’s Word is final; He promised the kingdom to David, and this day the kingdom was given to David. One day the kingdoms of this world will be given to our Anointed One, Jesus Christ when He is finally crowned King of all.

1. The confession, 5:1, 2

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood.” In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ ”

(a) A special bond

The KJV renders it much more poetically—

…we are thy bone and thy flesh.

The tribes of Israel were identifying themselves with David; they were essentially saying that he was one of them. But the reverse was true; to have a “flesh and bone” relationship with a king is surely a great privilege!

The elders of Israel were also declaring their loyalty to David. By pointing out the fact that he was a fellow Israelite, they were making a covenant agreement with him to be committed to him no matter what the circumstances may be.

Most of us are not directly related to earthly royalty, yet we are all related to heavenly royalty! Ephesians 5:30 says—

…for we are members of his body.

Because we have that kind of relationship with Him, we have this kind of relationship with each other in Him—

…so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:5)

This verse, perhaps more than any other, perfectly describes the bond—the covenant relationship—we have with each other. “Each member belongs to all the others,” expresses a relationship that transcends any earthly relationship we can have. The relationship we have as members of the Body of Christ is stronger, more profound, and more significant than any other relationship based on anything other than Christ. And with any covenant, each member has rights and obligations toward the others. For that matter, Christ has obligations to those He has called and saved; we have obligations to Him.

(b) A pathetic failure

There is a sense of disappointment when the elders of Israel mention Saul’s name—

In the past, while Saul was king over us (verse 2a)

Saul was manic; he was untrustworthy and unapproachable. He broke away from the Lord and committed wicked sins in his demented pursuit of David. He sought to halt God’s will by destroying God’s Anointed.

Can you imagine living under such a king as Saul? Can you imagine how hopeless and helpless the people were, knowing that Saul was their king and there was nothing they could do about it? What a perfect, yet sad picture of sinful man living under the dominion of the prince of this world, Satan! Satan, the one who promises so much good yet delivers only misery. People trapped in that kind of miserable bondage, God’s Anointed One came to set free.

(c) Amazing grace

…you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. (verse 2b)

Even though Saul was king, David was leading Israel in protecting them behind the scenes. Before David was king, his wisdom and skill were quietly leading them, unseen. It’s a fact that God guides this world providentially and will continue to do so until His Son, the Anointed King of Kings come to reign over it in Person.

On a personal note, how many of us can look back over our lives and see the unseen Hand of God, gently pushing us along? Even as sinners with no relationship with Him at all, God was moving on our behalf.

When the people wanted a king, they said this to Samuel—

Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8:20)

To a limited extent, Saul was such a king, but David was supremely so! God granted their wishes before it became obvious to them. The role David assumed, in the background, reminds us that God often answers our prayers in ways we least expect, never dreamed of, and perhaps cannot see at the moment.

(d) An expression of faith

And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ ” (verse 2b)

The elders discerned that David was to ascend to the throne of Israel. They clearly saw that he had been chosen and anointed of God, that he had already been leading Israel behind the scenes, and they saw in David the qualities they needed in a ruler: one who would shepherd them.

Here is an excellent lesson in how God works. When God chose David out of the all the sons of Jesse, it was not an arbitrary choice; God knew exactly what He was doing for David was perfectly suited to his calling. David was the best of his family and of his nation for the specific purpose to which God had called him. David’s gifts and talents were not given to him after the fact; he was born with them, and the people, specifically the elders here, saw them on display and they, by faith, believed David could what he was born to do. God is an expert at filling vacant positions with men and women of His choosing; people who otherwise might never realize their full potential. David expressed his faith in answering the call and the people expressed their faith by recognizing God’s call on David’s life.

Again, the KJV expresses the elder’s thoughts in a poetic, powerful manner—

Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

In ancient Israel, civic leaders, not religious leaders, we called to shepherd the people. David, as king, would see that the physical needs of his people were met, and history indicates that he was as effective a king as he was a shepherd. The word “captain” (KJV), “ruler” (tNIV) is the Hebrew nagid, which does not refer to a military position, although that’s what it sounds like. Nagid, like “shepherd” refers to a civil leader. David had already proved that he was a good shepherd in his younger years, and he proved that he was a great military leader during Saul’s reign, now he was about to become the leader of a nation. In fact, he was already king in Judah, now the rest of the nation is expressing the faith in David that the people in Judah had.

Our Heavenly David, Jesus Christ, has proved Himself an able Savior at ever turn. God had commissioned His Son to care for His sheep and He has never failed in that commission. Jesus is the Bread of Heaven; He is the Living Bread that sustains us.

(e) Surrender

…you will become their ruler. (verse 2c)

What an attitude of complete subjection! This was not easy for Israel to do. Remember, it was Abner who encouraged the elders of Israel to make a compact or covenant with David. It was not their idea. It was Judah’s idea, but Israel had to be, more or less, talked into it. In fact, the same thing might be said of David; it seems like it took Abner to get David off the dime—

Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. (2 Samuel 3:21)

Who knows how long it would have taken both parties in this covenant to get their collective acts together, had it not been for the timely intervention of Abner. Both David and Israel surrendered ultimately to God’s will.

There has always been an Abner, by the way. In your life and mine, God places people to push us along the corridor of His will. It’s easy to get comfortable with the status quo; David had a great life as king of Judah but God had a higher calling for Him; he was to rule over a united nation. The early Church was very comfortable in Jerusalem with its Jewish converts, but it wasn’t God’s will for it to remain there. There is always an Abner, and sometimes he is mean and sometimes he is not, but it is God’s prerogative to use him to get us into the mainstream of God’s will.

2. The Covenant

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. (verse 3)

The offer was made and accepted and both parties made a covenant that would last until the death of David’s son, Solomon.

Jesus wants to make a covenant with us; He is the prime mover, though, not us. He calls us to Himself. Jesus is perfectly suited in every way to care for us, to lead us, to protect us, and to bring us to everlasting life. But, unlike David who was never able to completely live up to God’s expectations and the demands of the covenant he made that day, Jesus can and does; Jesus meets and exceeds any and all demands placed on Him! Do you need to be saved? Jesus can accomplish that. Do you need healing? By His stripes you were healed! Do you need direction in life? Wisdom is yours for the asking. Are you lonely? Jesus is the Friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Jesus has what you need. Be willing to enter into a covenant relationship with Him; you’re life will never be the same!

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Posts Tagged 'David'

GOD’S ANOINTED: Like Father, Like Son

(c) 2009 WitzEnd

GOD’S ANOINTED: The Biggest Mistake of His Life

(c) 2009 Witzend

GOD’S ANOINTED, Doing the right thing the wrong way!

(c) 2009 WitzEnd

GOD’S ANOINTED: King over all, finally

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