April 24, 2012

"Do Not Be Afraid When a Man Becomes Rich" (4/24)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87.

Many in our society seem to be so concerned with others becoming (or having already become) rich. They are so worried that other’s wealth will somehow bring harm to them that they want to see something done to limit the amount of wealth one can obtain, or confiscate the wealth one has already obtained – often by using the force of government.

David expressed a very different attitude toward those who become wealthy. Rather than worrying about them and fearing them, we should just leave them to their own devices.

“Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him. Though while he lives he congratulates himself—and though men praise you when you do well for yourself—he shall go to the generation of his fathers; they will never see the light. Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, is like the beasts that perish” (Psalm 49:16-20).

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April 14, 2012

The Slaughter of the Priests (4/14)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 21-24.

The reign of Saul provides a series of examples showing why it is dangerous to allow one man to hold such great power over a people. He went from being afraid to accept the throne to being willing to do anything to hold onto his power. The incident with the priests in Nob illustrates the degree of wickedness to which he had attained.

“Saul said to [Ahimelech the priest], ‘Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he would rise up against me by lying in ambush as it is this day?’”

“Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, ‘…Did I just begin to inquire of God for him today? Far be it from me! Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to any of the household of my father, for your servant knows nothing at all of this whole affair.’

“But the king said, ‘You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s household!’ And the king said to the guards who were attending him, ‘Turn around and put the priests of the Lord to death…’ But the servants of the king were not willing to put forth their hands to attack the priests of the Lord. Then the king said to Doeg, ‘You turn around and attack the priests.’ And Doeg the Edomite turned around at attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. And he struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants…” (1 Samuel 22:13-19).

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April 13, 2012

Better to Seek Justice and Righteousness than Power (4/13)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalm 11, 59.

David and Jonathan’s friendship is one of the well-known relationships in the Bible (1 Samuel 18:1-3). Their friendship was not one of convenience (as it may have been if they just happened to know each other and were forced to spend time together); but the text says their souls were “knit” together (1 Samuel 18:1).

This bond would be tested, though, as Jonathan’s father, King Saul, wanted David killed. Jonathan had to make a choice. Would he be loyal to his father, the king, or his friend? He chose to be loyal to his friend and tried to protect him in the presence of the king.

“Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, ‘You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.’

“But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, ‘Why should he be put to death? What has he done?’ Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father decided to put David to death” (1 Samuel 20:30-33).

Not only did Jonathan need to make a choice between his father and his friend, but he also had to make a choice between ascending to the throne or aiding an innocent and righteous man. Jonathan decided that defending the innocent David before the king was more important than gaining some position of power.
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April 11, 2012

A Foolish Order from the King (4/11)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 13-14.

After the Philistines were defeated, due in large part to the bravery of Jonathan, Saul issued a foolish and selfish executive order. It is one that should remind us of the dangers of having one fallible man possessing so much authority.

“So the Lord delivered Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven. Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.’ So none of the people tasted food.

“All the people of the land entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. When the people entered the forest, behold, there was a flow of honey; but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

“But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath; therefore, he put out the end of his staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. Then one of the people said, ‘Your father strictly put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food today.”‘ And the people were weary.

“Then Jonathan said, ‘My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if only the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great’” (1 Samuel 14:23-30).

Notice that God delivered the Israelites and had blessed them with the spoil of the land. Yet Saul, the king, because of his selfish, self-serving priorities (avenging himself on his enemies), issued an order restricting the use and enjoyment of a blessing that had been given by God.
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March 29, 2012

Qualifications to Lead

Man with Tie

During an election year, it is common for people to discuss what characteristics qualify a candidate for public office. The Bible certainly addresses the role and desired character of civil authorities, but I want us to focus on a higher authority in this study – God.

In the Old Testament, God was the Israelites’ King (1 Samuel 8:7). In the New Testament, Christ is the person of God identified as our King (John 18:37). He is in a position of ultimate authority, even over our civil rulers (Ephesians 1:20-21). But what qualifies Him to be our King and worthy of honor and respect?
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March 17, 2012

Rules for Kings (3/17)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Deuteronomy 17-20.

God knew the nation of Israel would one day be ruled by kings. Even though God saw this as a rejection of His sovereignty over the people (1 Samuel 8:7), He gave instructions here in the law for these future kings.

“Moreover, he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor shall he cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never again return that way.’ He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.

“Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel” (Deuteronomy 17:16-20).

Notice briefly some of the rules God established for one in this position of civil authority:
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March 8, 2012

Freedom and Slavery

Man, in his natural state as created by God, is free – free in speech, thought, action, association, and religion (though this does not mean that we are unaccountable for how we use our freedom – Ecclesiastes 11:9). But Satan, from the beginning, has worked diligently to bring man into bondage.

Why would Satan be concerned about and hostile toward man’s freedom? It is because the lack of freedom – which is the state of bondage or tyranny – hinders one from serving God and having a relationship with Him. Let us notice some ways in which man may become enslaved.
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