SEXUAL IMMORALITY IN THE CHURCH

I Corinthians 5 shows us the Apostle Paul at his toughest.  

He has received credible information about a man in the Corinthian church who is in an immoral relationship with his father's wife.  Paul is - to say the least - shocked!  His immediate response to the church is:  And you are proud!  Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?  [v.2]

Paul then gives clear instructions:

• Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit.  [v.3]
• His response is what we might expect from a bishop:  I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.  [v.3]
• When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of the Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.  [vs.4-5]
• Then Paul scolds the church for boasting about tolerating this evil action.  He reminds them that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough  [v.6].  

Paul then ends this painful chapter with an exposition about the church's responsibility for judging within the body of believers.  His counsel is quite clear:

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people - not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.  In that case you would have to leave this world.  But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.  With such a man do not even eat.

Clearly, we are only responsible for judging those who claim to live for Christ!  Paul would not have us separate ourselves from unbelievers!  How can we win unbelievers if we have separated ourselves from them?  

Paul's counsel:

1. ...judge those inside  [v.12]
2. God will judge those outside.  [v.13]

Paul's last words in this chapter:  Expel the wicked man from among you.  [v.13]

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As a church leader, I've repeatedly had to confront (care-front) parishioners who were living outside the bounds of Christian behavior.  It has never been easy to do so and I have always prepared myself through prayer (and often fasting).   Many times - almost always - the person becomes angry.  Often I have received a lashback from the church body as well.  But God's grace is a powerful thing.  Given time for the Holy Spirit to work, there has often been reconciliation and healing.  

Paul is trying to teach us that we bear reponsibility for one another!  In some sense, we are our brother's keeper!  I need you to help me stay clean and pure!  We need each other's accountability to remain holy!  

One final comment:  this really can't (won't) happen in a large group context;  in that setting, such activity is brutal and belittling.  It happens naturally, however, in smaller group settings or in friendship circles.  We must remember that speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  [Ephesians 4:15]

Our intervention with those we love, care for and call brother or sister may preserve them for an eternity of joy and everlasting peace!  It's worth the risk!  

If I fall into immorality, greed, lying, drunkenness or swindling others - I hope you care enough to come after me!   God has given us to one another for this high and holy purpose!  

MARRIAGE IN THE BIBLE

God started it all in the Garden of Eden

When He opened His plan of life

It’s interesting to me that from the very beginning

The plan called for a husband and wife

 

So Adam and Eve stood before God that day

To be united in holy matrimony

From that day till now this has been the way

To cling to each other, and each other only

 

Their union was rich and full and free

Their relationship marked with love

And to top it all off, they took a walk each day

With their God who came down from above

 

It was truly a marriage that was made in heaven

They were close as close could be

This couple was more than one-plus-one is two

This one was one-plus-one equals three!

 

It’ll be that way today if you’ll only believe

God wants marriage to be more than a token

In Proverbs it says a double cord is strong

But a triple one is not easily broken

 

Then God gave them their job which was really a task

To watch over the birds, earth and sea

It was all made for them to deeply enjoy

With one exception which was a great tree!

 

God fashioned them both with tender, loving care

He provided them food, clothing and a name

Then told them to be fruitful and to multiply

When they were naked, they knew no shame

 

Out of this union came children galore

But only three who are essential to the story

And God’s plan of life was born to this family

And the children were raised to God’s glory

 

Now problems arose, but that’s nothing new

Families have always been tested and tempted

But in spite of it all, God continues to call

And this plan has never been pre-empted.

 

Now we’re told very little of the children of that day

Except that one asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

But when Cain killed Abel while working in the field

It broke the heart of the ‘Silent Reaper’

 

Now blood shed to God is always special

It’s the source of life for all man.

But especially when violence entered this way

It disrupted and threatened God’s plan

 

But down through the ages God has kept His hand

Upon the family which He seems to have ordained

Uphill and downhill, long distance and short

Upon us all God’s gift has remained

 

There were many to follow

More than just a few

Their names roll through the ages

Down to me and to you

 

The first major interruption came after Cain

With the advent of a man name Noah

Bod was displeased and greatly disappointed

So He let the floodwaters flowa  J

 

And when it was all over eight people survived

Four families is a better way to speak

God started again with a clean, brand new slate

And a world that was so clean it would squeak

 

Over and over God worked with these people

Patience was the name of the game

Generations came and generation went

But most were as evil as Cain

 

Finally God stumbled on a couple who would listen

Abram and Sarah, his lovely wife

God made promises hardly anyone would believe

And they set out from Ur for a new life

 

As the story turns out, most of these promises were distant

And Abram and Sarah wouldn’t see them

But Isaac was born in their very late years

And survived even though his dad nearly killed him

 

Isaac and Rebecka were the next family on the scene

Their twin boys were a competitive pair

Jacob fought his brother before they were born

And Esau was all covered with hair

 

After seven years of labor, Jacob got Leah

But was deceived in the deal by Laban

So he worked seven more to get Rachel as well

And wound up with two wives and two maidens!

 

Twelve children in all came out of these four

And their stories take many a twist

But Joseph emerged as the ruler of all

And their home down in Egypt was fixed

 

It was many years later that Moses arose

From the bull-rushes to serve as a savior

With Zipporah, his wife, and a vision in his head

He led them from Egypt with God’s favor

 

With a God who was present in pillar and cloud

They started out on their journey for Canaan

It was to be a long trip with problem after problem

But it sure beat in Egypt remainin’

 

To reduce forty years, they made it to Canaan

And established a kingdom around Saul

Then came David, who was known to be after God’s heart

And Solomon, whose kingdom included all

 

In the midst of all this, we find Boaz

Who, in Ruth, found a wife that was good

Twas in Bethlehem that their first child was given

This is where Obed, David’s grandfather stood!

 

Again, years progressed and the Word of the Lord was scarce

And Hannah, wife of Elkanah, was caught in a stare

Eli, the high priest, gave her a promise of a son

Then came Samuel – a prophet quite rare

 

As these ages rolled by, the family survived

In spite of being abused

There was David and Bathsheeba and Solomon’s thousand wives

Now there’s a man who was REALLY confused

 

Before we change testaments there’s a few more we should name

Such as the family of Job and his wife

It’s amazing when you realize how faithful he was

He trusted God through the deepest of strife

 

And what about the prophet whose name was Hosea

Whom God asked to marry a woman of ill repute

So Hosea expressed a love for Gomer that was persistent

To show that God’s love is beyond dispute

 

Now that brings us to a critical point

Down to a woman and wife past family age

But with God there is nothing impossible

So a child was born to this marriage

 

When the promise came, Zacharias was left speechless

But Elizabeth certainly did not fear it

Her conception, late in life, was a blessing

And her child – in her womb – felt the Spirit

 

John the Baptist was a prophet like Elijah

His preaching was a sharp as could be

Our Lord Jesus was later to comment

“Never a greater man ever lived, than he.”

 

But the outstanding family story

Is the one about the young, virgin girl

Who was asked to reveal all God’s glory

Just the thought of it gives us a thrill

 

Mary’s conception was of the Holy Spirit

Joseph faithfully kept her from danger

When the child came at the end of their journey

Mary wrapped Him and laid Him in a manger!

 

That night was a miraculous occasion

We commemorate it down to this day

There were angels, shepherds and wise men

Who were all the first followers of the Way!

 

Now take notice as you listen to this story

God chose a family to reveal His full love

It was Jesus, Immanuel, and God’s full glory

was to shine through His life from above

 

And He preached and touched and He healed

As He walked on the land just like us

One would think He’s be loved and accepted

But actually, He raised quite a fuss

 

This One, whose life was nothing but service

Was finally hung on a tree

It was not until then that they knew it

He was part of a divine Trinity!

 

But His dath had no permanence about it

On the third day, He rose from His tomb

The women believed from the beginning

But the men – not till He entered the room

 

Even today, men are slower to respond

Oh, the church would be richer indeed

If, like women, they would trust in the Beyond

Upon His life and His Word they would feed

 

Other families were to enter this life stream

Many were there on Pentecost Day

When Peter’s words about visions and men’s dreams

Were fulfilled in a memorable way

 

Even some of our Lord’s disciples

Were married and had families to show

Peter was one of these brave ones

His mother-in-law helped him to grow

 

Now Paul had no wife that we know of

Although scholars have wondered and guessed

Where else could those beatings have come from?

And what about this thorn in the flesh? 

 

I’m joking, and certainly you know it

For the love of a husband and wife

is far more than children and possessions

It’s the way to an abundant life

 

I think of Priscilla and Acquilla

Pauls’ friends in the tent-making trade

Who opened their home and gave from their hearts

And oh, what a difference they made!

 

You see, from the very beginning

God ordained it – it’s the way it should be

Without families, the world would stop spinning

We’re essential, oh please – don’t you see?

 

We’re all needed!  The family is God’s plan

For life – abundant and free

Just stop and think for a moment

Without my family – now where would I be?

 

Every couple that unites in marriage

Participates with God in His plan

If they’d only recognize Jesus

As the Lord of every woman and man

 

The problems in our world would quickly fade

And struggles on our families would cease

If only a few people would take notice

That Jesus is the source of real peace

 

If you ask:  “Who can change our world’s pace?”

My answer will come really fast

If we put the family in its right place

It matters not what’s in our past

 

God will use a few families as leaven

This is the way that God meant

They will lead the whole world to Heaven

What we need is real commitment!

 

Biblical families have established God’s pace

Right down to now when we fear the great bomb

But the way He will save our race

Is through a Dad, a bunch of kids, and a Mom

 

So determine today – you’ll be part of God’s way

Don’t turn back, be determined, press on

Talk with your spouse – take time to pray

“O Lord my God, we will follow, just lead on!”

 

Now to close up this time of devotion

And to bring things to a right and proper end

In the name of the Father the Son and the Spirit

May we all together now say “AMEN!”

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

In Matthew 19, Jesus is questioned about the legitimacy of divorce.  The question came from the Pharisees who had pursued him to an isolated region on the other side of the Jordan River.  They interrupted His work there:  Large crowds followed him and he healed them there.  [v.2]  These Pharisees came to test him.  [v.3]  Their question was carefully worded:  Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?  [v.3]

I love Jesus' response:  

Haven't you read...that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?  So they are no longer two, but one.  Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."  [vs.4-6]

OBSERVATIONS:

1. There is a gentle chiding in the words, Haven't you read?.  These are religious leaders!  Jesus knew that they were familiar with these verses.  His implication seems to be that they read these verses without really understanding them.

GETTING ALONG

In Matthew 18, Jesus gives us teaching on how to get along.  It's clear, logical and beneficial.

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.  If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church;  and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.  [vs.15-17]

Over the years, I have brought opposing parties together many times in an attempt to create an opportunity for reconciliation.  There were a few times that the process was successful.  But, by-and-large, we ignore this biblical process and let divisions agitate and continue.  Many churches include people who carefully avoid one another Sunday after Sunday.  Sad!  

We serve a God who wants His people to live in unity.  He sets procedures for confronting other believers about sin [see I Corinthians 5] and promised to be present in even the smallest gatherings of His followers:  For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.  [Matthew 18:20]

The Apostle Paul also bore this concern for unity:

...avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.  Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time.  After that, have nothing to do with him.  You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful;  he is self-condemned.  [Titus 3:9-11]

Here's an important thought:

When Jesus tells us to treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector, this does not mean to shun them or treat them badly.  Rather, "...if he refuses to hear the church, let him be to you as a heathen, to whom you still owe earnest, tender, good will, but not familiarity."   [John Wesley, Renew My Heart, 10/15]   Meanness is not a part of our faith response!  If we alienate them, how can we win them?  

Remarkably, this passage in Matthew 18 is immediately followed by Peter's question:  Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?  Then, Peter stretches his faith and adds, Up to seven times?   [v.21] 

Then Jesus startles Peter and the others listening:  I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. [v.22]  And then Jesus unfolds the story of the ungrateful servant who was forgiven a great debt and then refused to forgive a small debt.  The story ends with the ungrateful servant being turned over to the jailers to be tortured until he should pay back all he owed.   Jesus ends this story with a warning:  This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.   [Matthew 18:23-35] 

We serve a God who mercifully forgives and requires us to do the same.  Peter's answer went beyond the rabbinic teaching of forgiving three times - but Jesus said (basically) not to keep track at all.  Then He told a story to show that whatever "debt" someone owes us is nothing compared to the "debt" we owe God.  In the story, the servant requested more time to pay the debt, but the king went beyond that request to give the gift of total forgiveness!  

Be careful not to think of debts purely in monetary form!  As the Facebook introduction to this blog reminds us, debts can take many relational forms.  

Loving and forgiving Lord,

Oh, we need lots of help to be more like You!   Being forgiven is the easy part.  Forgiving others is the hard part!  Yet You require it of us!  Help us to realize how small the debts of others are compared to our debt to You!  If You've forgiven us SO MUCH, we should surely be able to forgive others for much smaller violations.  

None of us wants to be thrown into the pit and tortured.  We want to gain heaven in all its glory!  Don't let us miss it because of a stubborn heart!  Soften our hearts by the power of Your Holy Spirit and help us to be forgiving people!  For Jesus' sake.  Amen.

 

 

CHILDREN ON HIS MIND!

 I remember singing it with gusto when I was a kid:

Jesus loves the little children;

All the children of the world!

Red and yellow, black and white,

They're all precious in His sight!

Jesus loves the little children of the world!

With the assumption that there is some continuity to the Gospel narrative, it seems that children were on Jesus' mind through several chapters in the middle of Matthew.  Let's consider the evidence for this observation:

FIRST, in Matthew 18:1-6, the disciples ask Jesus, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? [v.1]

Now, we can never know exactly what precipitated this question, however, three of the apostles had very recently been on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus.  On top of that, the other nine apostles had just been reprimanded for not being able to heal a boy with a demon.  So, it's at least possible that they were wondering among themselves (again) who was the greatest among them and who might be His successor.

How surprised they must have been when Jesus called a nearby child and stood him in their midst.

I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  [v.3]

Then, Jesus takes it even further:

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.  But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. [vs.5-6]

I imagine there was intensity in His voice and on His face when He spoke these words.  I rather expect that He made a deep impression on the thinking of these apostles during these moments!  Jesus has a very high opinion of the innocence that characterizes children!

SECOND, Jesus continues His teaching with these words:

See that you do not look down on one of these little ones.  For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.  [18:10]

Wow!  This teaching indicates that children not only have guardian angels, but that their guardian angels have special access to the throne of God and the power of the One who sits on that throne!  

Then, Jesus goes on teaching about the man who leaves ninety-nine sheep on the hills to go and look for the one that wandered off.  This teaching ends with an expression of great joy when that one sheep is found...

In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.  [18:14]

Here we see that Jesus didn't cultivate this love for children on His own;  He learned it from His heavenly Father!  

THIRD, in chapter 19, 

...little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.  But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  [v.13]

Is this faulty memory?  Didn't they just witness the two above mentioned events from the previous chapter?  

Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.  [v.14]

This line from Jesus represents not only a reprimand, but also a teaching:  These very children you are obstructing represent the character that allows any person to be a citizen of heaven!  You too, must become more like these children!  

FINALLY, we leap to chapter 21. Jesus is preparing for His Triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  He instructs His apostles to go and find a donkey.  When they bring it, He mounts it and begins His journey into Jerusalem.  Here's the order of events:

• A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  [v.8]
• The crowds...shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"  [v.9]
• Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there.  [v.12]
• The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.  [v.14]
• But when the chief priests and teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.  [v.15]

When these religious leaders complained to Jesus in an apparent appeal to have the children stopped, Jesus responded:

...have you never read, 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?   [quote from Psalm 8:2]

Once again, Jesus puts children on a pedestal and refuses to rebuke them for fulfilling their God-given role of praise!  

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Make no mistake about it.  God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit LOVE CHILDREN and see something in them that is precious, admirable and exemplary!  

When we watch children play, we are watching the behavior of the heavenly!  This is the kind of carefree, innocent, enjoyable conduct that we will enjoy forever when we make it to heaven - if we make it to heaven!  

I'm writing this on a Lord's Day morning!  Go to church today and be childlike.  In doing so, you will put a smile on the face of God!  

PLANNED GIVING

When Debbie and I were younger, I bought gifts for her that (I noticed) she never used or wore.  I guess my tastes were different than hers.  I remember one year buying her a rather extravagant white sweater;  I was so excited for her to open it.  To the best of my knowledge - she never wore it.  When I asked her about this she gave me a rather blunt answer:  "Sometimes I just don't like the stuff you buy me."  I was frustrated!  

So, I developed a plan:  For quite a number of years, I took Debbie to the mall in mid-November for a leisurely stroll.  As she looked at various items, I made mental notes of what store we were in and where the items were located.  Then, I went back to the mall later in the day (ot the next day) and bought all of her Christmas gifts.  Problem solved!  😁

I eventually told her what I was doing.  She thought it was pretty smart!  

______________________________________

I just had the most delightful hour!  I was going through a week's mail and came across Samaritan's Purse 2020 Christmas Gift Catalogue.  It lists all kinds of things you can purchase for those in need around the world:

• Hot meals for hungry children and families
• Care for an orphan
• Help by providing emergency medical care
• Serving refugees
• Helping families from disaster areas
• Helping a family earn an income
• Help a poor farming family
• Plant a grove of trees
• Give a dairy goat, cow, chicks or honey bees
• Give balls or sports gear
• Provide a family a water filter 
• Help dig a well
• Provide life-changing surgery
• Support a mission hospital
• Help build a house or a church or a hospital

It just goes on and on.  I expect to soon get a similar gift book from International Childcare - where Debbie and I have two sponsored children:  one from the Philippines and the other from Kenya.  You have to act now for them to receive their gifts by Christmas time!  ;-)

So many in our world need so much!  We already have SO MUCH!  These various catalogues offer the opportunity for gifts of any size!  You don't have to give hundreds or thousands.  

__________________________________

I vividly remember quite a few years when we realized we had grossly overdone it for our kids at Christmas!  It was embarrassing.  We bought too much!  

Now that we're retired, we don't buy as much.  We live comfortably and try to be as generous with others as we can.  

So many - even here in our own country - are hurting this year.  Our generosity can make a difference.  

SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN!

 Just a few days ago, we talked about David sparing Saul's life in a cave.  Saul showed great remorse for pursuing David and they parted company apparently reconciled.  

Two chapters later, the Ziphites contact King Saul and report that David is hiding in their area.  Saul garners up 3,000 soldiers and again pursues David.  

David sent out scouts who located Saul's camp.  He and Abishai sneaked into Saul's camp in the middle of the night when they were all in a deep sleep brought on by God.  

Abishai desires to run his spear through King Saul, but David stops him.  Don't destroy him!  Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?  [26:9]

Instead, they take Saul's spear and water jug and slip out of the camp.

When they're a safe distance from Saul's camp, David calls to Saul's captain, Abner:  Why didn't you guard your lord the king?  Someone came to destroy your lord the king.  What you have done is not good.  As surely as the LORD lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed.  Look around you.  Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?  [26:15-16]

Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, David my son?"

David replied, "Yes it is, my lord the king."  And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant?  What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?...The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea...  [26:17-18,20]

 Then Saul said, "I have sinned.  Come back, David my son.  Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again.  Surely I have acted like a fool and have erred greatly."  [26:21]

David then returned Saul's spear and Saul said to him:  May you be blessed, my son David;  you will do great things and surely triumph."  [26:25}

So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.  [26:25]

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God is continually reaching out to King Saul, trying to impact him with God's grace.  We see a similar situation in the New Testament where Jesus repeatedly reaches out to Judas - trying to awaken the Spirit in him.  But some people are resolute and stubborn in having their own way.  Sad!  

We are vividly shown the contrast between David - who had a heart after God - and Saul, who couldn't get past his jealousy and anger.  The lesson is obvious!  

It reminds me of a hymn written in 1902, by Adelaid M. Pollard:

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Thou art the potter, I am the clay. 

Mold me and make me after thy will, 

while I am waiting, yielded and still. 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Search me and try me, Savior today! 

Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now, 

as in thy presence humbly I bow. 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Wounded and weary, help me I pray! 

Power, all power, surely is thine! 

Touch me and heal me, Savior divine! 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Hold o'er my being absolute sway. 

Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see 

Christ only, always, living in me!

 

ARE YOU CORRECTABLE?

 I Samuel 25 tells a story about David's intersection with Nabal (whose name means 'fool').  

Here it is in brief form:

David and his 600 men have been laying low in the area where Nabal lived.  Nabal was a wealthy farmer with 1,000 goats and 3,000 sheep.  He also had a wife, Abigail, who was intelligent and beautiful.  

When David and his men lived in an area, they provided protection for anyone else who lived nearby.  Consequently, Nabal benefitted from David lingering in his area for an extended period of time.  

At the time of sheep-shearing, David sent men to Nabal asking for a gift of food.  

Nabal is described several times in this chapter:

• surly and mean in his dealings  [v.3]
• a wicked man that no one can talk to - (his servant) [v.17]
• He is just like his name - his name is Fool, and folly goes with him. - (his wife) [v.25]

Nabal responds harshly to David's request:

Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?  [v.11]

David is incensed when he is given this report.  He arms his men and takes 400 men to exact revenge on Nabal.

A servant reports what has happened to Abigail including the arc of safety that David's men have provided over previous months.  She acts quickly and puts together  a large quantity of food and supplies to give to David and his men.  

• 200 loaves of bread
• 2 skins of wine
• 5 dressed sheep
• 5 bushel of roasted grain
• 100 raisin cakes
•  200 cakes of pressed figs

She did this without telling Nabal.

She met David descending into the valley.  She bowed at his feet with her face to the ground.  

She said:  “Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent. And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal. And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you.

“Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”

Wow!  She really is a wise woman!

1. She offers reverence to David by kneeling before him
2. She proclaims her husband a fool for treating David improperly
3. She suggests that she has been sent to prevent David from shedding needless blood.
4. She wishes him well and prays protection over him
5. She presents her very generous gift 
6. She suggests that he will always have God's protection since he fights the Lord's battles
7. She predicts that he will be the ruler over Israel
8. She suggests that if he turns from his intent toward Nabal, he will have a clean conscience
9. She asks for his favor when God has honored him

David graciously accepts her gifts and turns from his intent toward Nabal.  He acknowledges that she has been sent by God to keep him from bloodshed.  

Abigail went home and found Nabal having a drunken banquet.  The next morning she told him what she had done and his heart failed him and he became like a stone.  About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died.  [vs.37-38]

When David heard what had happened, he sent word to her inviting her to become his wife.  She agreed and came to be his third wife and the mother of his second-born son, Kileab.  [Michal, Saul's daughter was his first wife, but Saul later gave her to another man;  as divine retrifution for mocking David, she had no children to the day of her death.  II Samuel 6:23]  

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APPLICATION

     I.   Those who are fools by character (according to Proverbs) are:

            1. Close-minded – thickheaded/stubborn (convinced they’re right)
            2. Lack spiritual perception
            3. Hardened

Nabal was all of these!  Be careful NOT to let these characteristics define YOU!

   II.    Abigail was wise and sensitive to the Lord's leading.  She courageously faced her problem  with tact, grace and humility!

  III.    David was correctable.  Even in his anger, he was able to back down and hear just counsel.  


 

HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON THEIR HEAD

Bizarre title, huh?

It comes from a verse in Romans 12:19-20,

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”  [NT quote from Proverbs 25:22]

In yesterday's blog, I reviewed the first part of I Samuel 24, where David is hiding in a cave in the wilderness and King Saul stumbles into the cave to relieve himself.  David's men see it as a God-given opportunity to kill the King and ascend to the throne.  But David refuses their advice because of his high standards;  he will not harm the Lord's anointed one.  However, he does get close enough to cut off a corner from the king's robe.  

As Saul leaves the cave, David follows him and points out that he could easily have killed the king.  He clarifies that he has no intention of ever harming Saul.  He bows before Saul - prostrating himself with his face to the ground!  He proclaims himself a faithful servant of Saul.   

See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.  [vs.11-12]

Saul's response is remarkable:

Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. Now swear to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.”

So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.   [vs.16-22]

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How did David heap hot coals on Saul's head?

By being overtly generous with him.

1. David spared Saul's life!
2. David bowed before Saul and gave him respect.
3. David called Saul, "My Lord, the king!"  "...my father..."
4. David exposed his heart of innocence:  "my hand will not touch you."
5. David made an oath that he would never cut off Saul's descendants or wipe out Saul's name.

This is the essence of the principle taught in Romans 12 and Proverbs 25.

One commentary that gets it right is the Bible Knowledge Commentary on Proverbs. It says this:

Sometimes a person’s fire went out and he needed to borrow some live coals to restart his fire. Giving a person coals in a pan to carry home “on his head” was a neighborly, kind act; it made friends, not enemies.

Proverbs 25:22 instructs us to give our enemy so many burning coals they have to carry them the way burdens are carried in the Middle East: in a container on the head. Then they can go back and immediately bake their bread without having to wait for the wood to become suitable coals for cooking.  

This reminds me of how Abraham Lincoln responded when asked why he did not seek to destroy his enemies, but showed them leniency instead. He said, “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”     

 [Jeremy Meyers, https://redeeminggod.com/heap-burning-coals-on-your-enemies/]

As representatives of God's grace, we must learn to treat our enemies with such generosity, respect and kindness that they will see our righteousness and respond in kind.  

Kind and Loving God,

This kind of living is the opposite of the way most of us think.  We are driven by revenge and hate.  But Your upside-down Kingdom calls us to a higher response.   With the help of Your Holy Spirit, we can do this!  Help us to see all our options in the future and choose ways that will promote our enemies into friends!  

For the Kingdom's sake.  Amen.  

IS YOUR CONSCIENCE WORKING?

Biblical scholars estimate that David fled from King Saul for at least eight years - possibly a whole decade.  

At the end of I Samuel 23, Saul is vigorously pursuing David and his men with a fairly large contingent of soldiers.  Saul has David's men outnumbered ten-to-one!  David is desperately trying to escape around a mountain, and Saul is in hot pursuit on the other side of the mountain.  

At this moment, a messenger arrives and reports to King Saul that the Philistines are attacking the land.

Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines.  [v.28]

Divine protection?  Divine providence?  

The very next chapter tells us that Saul resumes his pursuit of David.  

So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.  

 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. [24:2-5]

Is this also divine providence?  David's men think it is!  They encourage him to take Saul's life here and end this whole search and destroy effort.  God has clearly given Saul into the hands of David!

But David has a different understanding of things than that of his men.  David solemnly believes that it is against God's will to kill Saul:

He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.        [24:6-7]

David felt so strongly about this that it bothered him to have cut off the corner of Saul's robe!  [See verse 5 above - underlined]

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Now, we could deliberate long and hard on the development of the conscience.  It's clear that our parents play a significant role in developing this unmeasurable-but-real part of our mind.  In my case, my Mom's voice can still speak to me about simple 'right and wrong' issues.

But, God also plays a role in this important facet of our development.  The Holy Spirit plays a dominant part in developing our conscience and clarifying right and wrong from God's standards.  

In David's case, he felt badly about the simple act of cutting a piece from King Saul's robe.  This testifies that David's conscience was alive and well.  The rightness or wrongness of the act is irrelevant;  what is important is that David had a sensitivity to right and wrong.

When we allow Him, God will activate our conscience and develop it.  He will do this through His Word, through the whisperings of His Holy Spirit, through the teaching and preaching we submit ourselves to, through prayer and meditation, and through fellowship and interaction with other godly people.

Our teaching about this journey is intended to bring us to a single destination—a place where self-giving love reigns from a pure heart, a clean conscience, and a genuine faith.   [I Timothy 1:5  (The VOICE)]

Now there's a trio for you:  a pure heart, a clean conscience and a genuine faith!  I believe David had that - imperfect though he was...

I want that!  Don't you?  Here's a good prayer - sing it if you know it...

God,

Purify my heart

Let me be as gold and precious silver

Purify my heart

Let me be as gold, pure gold

Refiner's fire

My heart's one desire

Is to be holy

Set apart for You, Lord

I choose to be holy

Set apart for You, my Master

Ready to do Your will

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from within and make me holy

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from my sin, deep within

Refiner's fire

My heart's one desire

Is to be holy

Set apart for You, Lord

I choose to be holy

Set apart for You, my Master

Ready to do Your will

Amen!

 

 

COMPETING WIVES

The end of Genesis 29 and Genesis 30:1-24 is the story of the dueling wives of Jacob.  Leah (the older sister) and Rachel (the younger sister) compete for Jacob's love and attention.  It becomes a bitter contest in spite of the fact that Jacob clearly loves Rachel more than Leah.  Here's the progression of the narrative:

When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.  [29:31]

1.     Leah gives birth to Reuben which means "see, a son".

2.     Leah gives birth to Simeon which means "the LORD heard".

3.     Leah gives birth to Levi which means "union (with my husband)".

4.     Leah gives birth to Judah which means "praise".

When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister...she said, "Here is Bilhah, my maidservant.  Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me..."  [30:1,3]

          5.      Bilhah gives birth to Dan which means “He has listened to my plea.             

         6.     Bilhah gives birth to Naphtali which means “trickery”

When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her maidservant, Zilpah, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.  [30:9] 

      7.     Zilpah gave birth to Gad which means “good fortune”.

     8.     Zilpah gave birth to Asher which means “happy”.

Leah clearly wishes to please Jacob by bearing more children, so she sends her son, Reuben, out to find mandrakes [regarded as an aphrodisiac].  Rachel, desperate to have a son, begs her sister for some of the mandrakes.  She offers her husband to Leah that night in exchange for the mandrakes.  She agrees and meets Jacob as he comes in from the fields. 

     9.    Leah gave birth to Issachar which means “reward”.

    10.    Leah gave birth to Zebulun which means “prince”.

Finally, God remembered Rachel, listened to her and opened her womb.

   11.   Rachel gave birth to Joseph which means “he takes away my disgrace”.

Considerably later, Rachel gives birth again and dies in the process  [Genesis 35:16-18].

   12.   Rachel gave birth to Benjamin which means “son of my right hand”.

And that is how we wound up with the twelve tribes of Israel! 

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Where do we go with this complex story of jealousy, manipulation and competition?

Well, if we stretch, we can find some promising observations:

GOD SEEMS TO HAVE A BIAS FOR THE NEGLECTED AND SUFFERING!

First, it’s Leah who is unloved by her husband.  Consequently, God opens her womb and grants her four sons in a row!

Later in the story, God takes compassion on Rachel and opens her womb to bear Joseph and Benjamin!

GOD HEARS PRAYERS AND RESPONDS!

Simeon means – God heard my prayer!

Dan means – God listened to my plea!

Joseph means – God took away my disgrace!

 God is not aloof and remote!  God is present to our needs and desires.  He listens when we pray.  He responds. 

 GOD FULFILLS HIS PROMISES!

God had promised Abraham and Isaac (and Jacob) that they would be the fathers of a great nation as numberless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the sea. 

Abraham (the father of many nations) had one son!

Isaac had two sons (who quarreled).

But Jacob – ah, Jacob became the father of TWELVE sons!  Finally, we’re seeing the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham! 

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Now think about that…

Can you serve a God who has a bias for the suffering;  who hears and responds to prayer; and who fulfills His promises? 

I certainly can!  Glory to God!  He brings order out of chaos!  God turns the bad toward the good!  If God is for us – who can be against us?