Journal Through the Bible: Week 42 Tuesday

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II Samuel chapter 3 (Read October 22, 2013)

Most of us are familiar with the story of David's family including events that are yet in the future in our reading, so reading the names of the six sons born to him during the Hebron years evokes certain emotions as we consider what is to come.

Abner, the servant of the House of Saul, acknowledged that God had promised the kingdom to David and in a moment of anger with Saul's successor, Ishbosheth, he swore to deliver the kingdom to David. Abner's admission makes me wonder why he was fighting against David and the will of God in the first place! Perhaps like many, he felt he could control politics for his own advantage.

David accepted Abner's overture and made a treaty with him. David's wife - and Saul's daughter - was to be the token that sealed the bargain.

Does God issue any commands?

• God did not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?

• God did not speak in this chapter, but His promise to David is mentioned by Abner and it is being fulfilled in this chapter.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• As a mediator between the ruler and his wayward kingdom, Abner was a picture of Jesus, the mediator between God and the wayward world.
• Abner preached to the elders of Israel that God had appointed David to save His people from the Philistines. In this instance, Abner's prophecy likens David to Jesus, the One appointed by God to save His people from all of their enemies.
• Abner died the death of the innocent just as Jesus did. He was killed by someone who hated him (Joab). The world hated Jesus and they killed Him.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• In his grief, King David declares that the LORD will reward evil doers according to their wickedness. It was true then, it is true now, and it will ultimately be the final judgment against the wicked who will stand before the Great White Throne judgment.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 42 Monday

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II Samuel chapter 2   (Read October 21, 2013)

The nation of Israel found itself temporarily divided when they were led by the tribes of Benjamin and Judah to align themselves behind either the House of Saul or the House of David. There were occasional skirmishes and battles between the opposing sides including one where David's nephew, Asahel, was killed by the followers of Saul's son. (Zeruiah was David's sister.)

Does God issue any commands in this chapter?

• When David asked direction from God he was told by God to go to Hebron to establish his throne.

Does God make any promises?

• The implication is that David was to wait in Hebron for God to deliver upon His promise to make David the king over all of Israel.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Just as David had to patiently wait to be made king over all the territory promised to him by God and reigned only a small percentage of the whole kingdom at the beginning of his reign while someone who was not of God's choosing reigned over the rest of the nation so has Jesus waited patiently to receive His whole kingdom. Right now only those that are in Heaven are out of the reach of Satan, the one who has taken control of the world's systems. Someday Jesus will rule and reign all that have been given to Him. 

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• One day the true King chosen by God will receive all the kingdoms promised to Him. His subjects are awaiting this day by faith but one day faith will be made sight and the world will be ruled by her legitimate King.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 41 Saturday

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II Samuel chapter 1  (Read October 19, 2013)

And yet another Amalekite crosses David's path and suffers the consequences! Besides being part of the nation that God had told Saul to destroy he most likely was part of the marauders that had recently taken David's own wives and the families of his men captive. The man arrived in David's camp expecting to be handsomely rewarded for claiming to have killed King Saul - as a mercy killing - and for bringing the royal crown to David. Instead David had the man executed for treating the anointed king of Israel with such disrespect. Did the Amalekite kill Saul? Probably not, but his own testimony condemned him.

In his anguished grief David wrote an exquisite psalm of remembrance about Saul and Jonathan.

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! (verse 27)

Does God issue any commands in this chapter?

• God does not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Just as the Amalekite failed in his attempt to entice David with the symbols of royalty so did Satan fail in his attempt to entice Jesus to sin by offering an illegitimate claim to the thrones of the earth. Both David and Jesus rejected the temptation knowing each would eventually claim the throne of Israel legitimately.
• The psalm contained in this chapter describes David's grief when his master, leader, and loved ones fell at the hand of wicked forces. This must have been how the disciples felt when their Master, Leader, and beloved One was crucified at the hand of wicked men!

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Jesus has yet to have His day of coronation when the whole world will acknowledge Him as the heir to the throne of David and to the whole world.
• Someday all will perish who have slain the LORD's Anointed. Their own words will condemn them. (This would actually be all of us except that God has offered mercy to all who will repent and be saved by grace through faith in the LORD's Anointed!

Back to Blogging Including a Link to a Teaser

The view this morning. No more summer grilling!

We left Peru two weeks ago today!  Luckily for us, we returned from south of the equator where it is springtime in time to experience the first autumn snow of the season at our house. I'm joking. About being "lucky" anyway. 

It has taken me so much longer to get this blog caught up than I anticipated. I was more exhausted from our travels than I thought I would be!

I'm sure it had something to do with being awake about 30 hours when we traveled home on that Tuesday-Wednesday. And then hitting the ground running with several church and family activities (aka "Harvest Party" that Wednesday evening followed on Thursday with Trick or Treat at our house: I'm not complaining since I actually asked to be involved in those activities; just showing examples of how much I overestimated my abilities). And then experiencing grief within a week of our arrival home. 

In other words, blogging has not been high on my list of priorities. I expect it will take a long time and several posts on some days to get the Bible Journal updated. Sorry for those who object to being overloaded. Hang in there! It will not be the norm.

At some point I will also share about our trip to Peru. In the meantime, our dear missionary friends have published their monthly report which you can read here.  (Yes, they mention us.)   :)

Talk to you soon!