| Passage: 1 Chronicles 9-11 On Tuesday, May 12, 2015, Yujin wrote,
Success is in the eye of the beholder. David's rise to the throne of Israel may be considered a success no matter who's considering it. But what about Jesus? His life ended in death on a cross. He was abandoned and betrayed by His closest disciples. The very people He came to save not only rejected Him but also mocked Him and were the very ones demanding His crucifixion. Prior to His resurrection, Jesus' life would be considered a failure no matter who's considering it. Consider, if David became greater and greater apart from the Lord, would we still consider Him a success? Jereboam II accomplished much as the king of Israel and reigned as long as David, yet we consider him one of a long line of wicked kings in Israel. And Jesus. He is the unparalleled model of success by virtue of His resurrection. When we read the above verse, it is easy to define David's success by the words "David became greater and greater," but that would be like confusing the rays of sunlight for the sun or the hammer for the one who wields it. The success of David resides in the words "the Lord of hosts was with him." Habakkuk declares,
Along the same lines, Asaph writes,
Friends, the Lord is our success. When we abide in Him, even failure becomes success and apparent success becomes true success. Let us stop evaluating our lives based on worldly outcomes, whether our ventures are successful, whether people like us, whether we are gainfully employed, whether we are physically fit. Instead, let us praise God in every circumstance and seek His glory in every occasion. We are designed to worship Him. If success can be narrowly defined, let us define it by our greatest and enduring purpose, namely, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. |
| Passage: 1 Chronicles 9-11 On Saturday, May 17, 2014, Chris Penzel wrote, The tribe of Benjamin could have been eliminated forever, but it was spared. In reading Romans 10:11, I realized that the Apostle Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin. Thought provoking to say the least! |
| Passage: 1 Chronicles 9-11 On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, Yujin wrote, Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.’” (1 Chronicles 11:1-2). The men of Israel affirmed David's divine calling and appointment as king over Israel. They seemed to have known that Samuel had anointed David to be king. Yet, until Saul died the leaders of Israel were unwilling to accept David's kingship. What is more, the account in Samuel suggest that after Saul died, they initially gave their loyalty to Saul's Son, Ish-bosheth. Yet, because of Ish-bosheth's weak leadership, Ish-bosheth's general, Abner, effectively wrested control of the leaders of Israel and gave them to David. Even though the leaders of Israel acknowledged David's divine appointment, they only acted to accept his kingship when they had no other viable option. King Saul was dead. His son was weak. Who else should lead the people if not David, who was perhaps the greatest military general in their history. Thus, their loyalty was governed more by their circumstances than a genuine faith in the LORD. Friends, isn't there a lesson for us today? Do we only obey God when it is convenient? Do we trust Him after we have exhausted all other options? Do we go to Him only after we have thoroughly enjoyed our sinful indulgences? Have we made Him the God of our leftovers? In Genesis 4, two brothers offered sacrifices to God. One of the brothers, Abel, gave of the best of his flock. The other, Cain, brought some "leftover" vegetables for an offering. God accepted Abel's sacrifice but rejected Cain's offering. Do we give God our best or do we offer Him our leftovers? Friends, when we speak of trying to find some "free time" to spend with God, we are giving Him our leftovers. When we pick and choose politically acceptable, and crowd-pleasing messages to preach, we are giving Him our leftovers. When our only struggle with sin is after we have fallen, we are giving Him our leftovers. When we are concerned more about the business of church growth and uniting members around pastoral leadership rather than upholding Christ and His truth regardless of church size and member approval, then we are giving Him our leftovers. Friends, follow Christ at all costs. Abide by His Word at all costs. Don't defend men or friends or family just for the sake of their position or their close relationship with you, but do it because it is right and in line with the principles and values of God's Word. Do this whether the circumstances are favorable or not. Do we now seek commendation from God or men? |
| Passage: 1 Chronicles 9-11 On Monday, May 13, 2013 (Last Updated on 5/12/2015), Yujin wrote, Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them previously, and the Lord was with him (1 Chronicles 9:20). So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, and did not inquire of the Lord. Therefore He killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse (1 Chronicles 10:13-14). David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him (1 Chronicles 11:9). Phinehas was an effective ruler over the Levitical gatekeepers because the Lord was with him. God killed Saul and gave it to David because Saul was unfaithful. David became greater and greater because God was with him. Friends, do you notice a common theme in these passages that describe the fate of rulers, whether religious or secular? God determines it. Consider this prayer from Daniel: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; In fact, we are told that God knows all things, whether high or deep or near or far. He sees all things. Read Psalm 139. And He works everything out for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose (cf. Romans 8:28f). Friends, this is why we have nothing to fear, except to fear God. We do not need to fear changing circumstances. We do not need to fear the threats, accusations, deceptions and strategems of men. Why? God knows it all. God sees it all. God is in control. All we need to do is to acknowledge God's sovereignty over the affairs of men, even of the entire universe, and do our utmost to align our wills with His. As Paul reminds every believer, Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13). When we are faithful as believers, we are simply willing and working out what God is continually willing and working in us. It is only our place to obey, not to produce. We simply do and leave every outcome to the LORD. As the Scripture teaches us, To humans belong the plans of the heart, The Lord works out everything to its proper end— In their hearts humans plan their course, The lot is cast into the lap, It is when we lose our focus on Him, when our perspective of life gets skewed into thinking that we are in control, that we despair and give up and forsake our calling. Friends, I hate to break it to you, this world and this life is not about you! It is not about your power, your greatness, or your success. It is about Him, and Him alone: His glory, His praise, and His honor. Therefore, whether you live in a cave in some obscure corner of the world or preside over a multinational corporation in Manhattan, you and I are instruments in the hands of our God. And if God has chosen to honor us in salvation and allow us to enjoy His forever Presence in the paradise of heaven, it is all because of His sovereign grace. And our responsibility, our joy, is simply to trust and obey Him always. |
| Passage: 1 Chronicles 9-11 On Saturday, May 14, 2011, Unmi wrote,
When all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men went and took the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones under the great tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. (1 Chronicles 10:11-12)
The relationship of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the Benjamites and specifically Saul proceeds these events. In the awful story of the Levite and his concubine in Judges 19-21, all of Israel gather for war against the tribe of Benjamin for their atrocities. Then all Israel from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came together as one and assembled before the LORD in Mizpah. (Judges 20:1) In the next few days of battles, all except 600 Benjamite men who escaped are killed, leaving no woman for the Benjamites. When the dust settles, the Israelites realize that the Benjamites have no woman to continue on the family line of Benjamin. All those who gathered at Mizpah for the battle had also made an oath “Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.” (Judges 21:1) As they were thinking of a solution to this dilemma, Then the Israelites asked, “Who from all the tribes of Israel has failed to assemble before the LORD?” For they had taken a solemn oath that anyone who failed to assemble before the LORD at Mizpah was to be put to death... They discovered that no one from Jabesh Gilead had come to the camp for the assembly. (Judges 21:5,8) After further bloodshed, everyone in Jabesh Gilead is killed except 400 virgins. So the Benjamites returned at that time and were given the women of Jabesh Gilead who had been spared. (Judges 21:14)
Now the Biblical account doesn't explain why the people of Jabesh Gilead did not gather with the other Israelites. Did they have some close connection with them prior to these events? Were they afraid that the Benjamites would win the battle? In any case, since this time, the people of Jabesh Gilead have had close ties to the Benjamites. When Saul (a Benjamite) is anointed King, his first military victory was to defend the people of Jabesh Gilead from Nahash the Ammonite who was threatening to "gouge out the right eye" of every inhabitant in order to bring "disgrace on all Israel." (1 Samuel 11:2) When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger... “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’” (1 Samuel 11:6,9)
After Saul's death, the men of Jabesh Gilead did not forget what Saul has done for them and valiantly took the body of Saul and his sons and buried them. When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, 5 he sent messengers to them to say to them, “The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. 6 May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this..." (2 Samuel 2:4-)
Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD. (1 Chronicles 10:13) He didn't die at the hands of other men whether righteous (David) or unrighteous (the Philistines). However, the people of Jabesh Gilead showed kindness to this unfaithful servant of the LORD and for this kindness they are remembered even today as read of their deeds.
Let us not forget to show kindness to others for the LORD sees and remembers what is done with pure hearts and pure motives. |
| Passage: 1 Chronicles 9-11 On Friday, May 13, 2011, Yujin wrote, Friends, did you notice tucked away in 1 Chronicles 11:41 the mention of "Uriah the Hittite"? This is the same Uriah, who was husband to Bathsheba, with whom King David committed adultery. And this is the same Uriah that David murdered to hide his misdeed with Bathsheba and perhaps also to keep Uriah from exacting retribution against David. This Uriah is here listed among David's mighty men. He was one of David's elite soldiers. He was also a Hittite, which was a Canaanite people that was not completely destroyed in the time of the Judges in keeping with God's command. It appears that even as a foreigner he pledged undivided and selfless devotion to Israel, which was not a people of his birth. In a sense he was like Ruth the Moabite. This makes David's crime against him even more heinous. David, like Israel, was to be a light to the nations, showing forth the goodness and justice of God. Yet, this injustice against Uriah, and by none other than God's chief representative on earth at the time, seriously dishonored God's Name among the nations. This should give us pause to consider what sort of light we are showing forth in the world and whether that light is not light but darkness. I'm making this observation to show you that the Old Testament writers do not always make the connections for you. They expect the readers to make many such connections through the careful and thoughtful reading of God's Word. When you do, reading the Bible becomes an amazing journey of discovery. |