Month: May 2017

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2 SAMUEL 4:1-6:23 | JOHN 13:31-14:14 | PSALM 119:17-32 | PROVERBS 15:31-32

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Sometimes innocent blood is shed under the guise of revenge.  That was certainly true for Ish-Bosheth.  Although he was Saul’s son and had been installed as Saul’s successor, we have learned already that this was a young man who did not thirst for power and had been content to allow Abner, his father’s chief of armies to run his kingdom for him.  Also, Ish-Bosheth appeared to be at peace with the House of David, and went so far as to returning Michal (actually, his aunt), David’s first wife, back to him. 

But there is suddenly unrest everywhere:  Abner has been murdered, the people are alarmed, and Ish-Bosheth is weakened even more.  And to make matters worse, two thugs take it upon themselves to displace Ish-Bosheth permanently by killing him.  Ish-Bosheth was not a criminal, and was certainly not pursued by David or anybody for that matter, and yet these two thugs thought they would win David’s favor by doing this dastardly deed.  They find out soon enough what David’s reaction is when David orders both of them to be put to death for committing this heinous act of murdering the son of the king of Israel.

Following this incident, David is officially installed as undisputed king of Israel, and there is an account of his reign that is said to have lasted for a full forty years, counting the six years or so after Saul’s death right up until Ish-Bosheth’s death.  David’s rule sees the conquering of the city of Jerusalem which is renamed the City of David, the further deafeat of the Philistines in the area, and the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. 

The imagery of the young and beautiful David, dancing in the streets in celebration of the coming of the Ark is a graphic one, and yet, it is tinged with sadness for Michal who is jealous of her husband’s public displays and chides him for it.  But David points out to her certain pertinent facts, chief among them being the difference between her father and himself. 

This is how David offers a clear explanation for his behavior:  I will celebrate before the LORD, he says.  Matter closed.  Alas, it is Michal who is to be the woeful one and also the barren one for questioning her husband’s intents.

Turning now to our reading in the gospel of John, we see Jesus preparing for what is to come.  He spares no time in telling his disciples so many things they ought to remember for the future—for when he will no longer be with them.  One of the most significant teachings of Jesus is to be found here.  Jesus says:  ³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus continues to comfort his disciples who sense that their master is going to leave them soon.  How and when they do not yet know, but still they are disturbed, and they in turn wish to tell Jesus that they would follow him to the ends of the earth.  Alas, they do not realize that Jesus knows exactly what they will do—or at least what Peter will do! 

Peter must not have been too happy to hear his dear Lord say to him that he would betray him three times in one day before the rooster crows!  But Jesus does care for the grief that he knows his disciples are undergoing.  He tells them most lovingly:   ¹ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Furthermore, Jesus makes one of the most unequivocal statements yet:  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”  Is that sufficiently clear, dear Thomas and Philip?

And if you have ever believed, listen to what Jesus says you can accomplish.  Jesus says:  ¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Turning now to our psalm for the day, we find a continuation of the very long Psalm 119.  Some verses from these sections are as follows:

²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴ Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.

²⁷ Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
²⁸ My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
²⁹ Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
³⁰ I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
³¹ I hold fast to your statutes, LORD;
do not let me be put to shame.
³² I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.

Finally, a couple of verses from our reading from the book of Proverbs:

³¹ Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.

³² Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
   but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word.

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2 SAMUEL 2:12-3:39 | JOHN 13:1-30 | PSALM 119:1-16 | PROVERBS 15:29-30

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Saul is no more, but his son Ish-Bosheth along with Saul’s commander of armies, Abner, have regrouped and are holding on to the position of ruling the majority of the kingdom of Israel.  And yet, there is tension and frequent conflict between the House of Saul and the House of David.  Also, there is infighting within Saul’s house, and soon Ish-Bosheth and Abner are not on the best of terms. This results in Abner changing horses in midstream to David’s side.  It was an amicable agreement to all concerned, even Ish-Bosheth, and we learn for the first time David’s kingship over all Israel—not just Judah—established in the land. 

But things don’t always go as planned, and sometimes they unfortunately go terribly wrong.  Abner is murdered by Joab, one of David’s men, in an act of revenge for Joab’s brother Asahel had been killed by Abner.  David is deeply saddened by this and laments Abner’s death.  But life does goes on.

Next, we learn about the passage of time by way of the number of wives and children that David has acquired over the years.  On last count, it is six wives, some perhaps the result of political alliances with the neighboring kingdoms.  But the time has come for David to assume the mantle of undisputed king over all of Israel. 

David’s first wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter, and perhaps David’s first love is returned to him after all these years.  This might seem like a strange thing, but perhaps there is something deeper to the renewal of this bond.  What was once lost has now been found. 

But there are always two sides to a coin, and the record also states that Michal’s second husband—the man that she spent all those years with when David was made to flee for his life and when her father gave her away in marriage to another man—it is this husband who is terribly distraught at the sight of his wife being taken away from him, and he follows her a great distance weeping all the way.  One can only imagine what Michal must have felt—David, her first love and first husband seeking her out after all these years, and now here is the second husband who obviously loves her so greatly that he cannot bear to let her go.  Would that this life were simpler!

Turning now to our reading in the book of John, we learn that we are rapidly approaching the end of Jesus’ ministry.  In this passage, Jesus is about to have a last meal with his disciples.  But this is no ordinary meal on several counts.  It is, of course, the feast of the Passover, and therefore a marked occasion for the Jewish people.  Jesus intends to observe this meal with his disciples, as he most likely has done in years past. 

But the bread and wine that is served at the table today is so much more than what it is:  it is the symbolic representation of the body and blood of Jesus himself who will give himself up to each of them, nay, to the entire world for all who believe that his bodily sacrifice is the Living Bread.  And all those who will receive this bread will also surely receive the free gift of eternal life with Jesus himself.

And beyond this great truth, there is yet another reason for this passover meal with Jesus to be like none other.  Before the meal is served, Jesus intends to do one thing:  despite all protests from Peter and perhaps even the others, Jesus insists on washing the feet of each of his disciples, even Judas, the one who betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.  A greater act of humility cannot be found in the annals of history.  This is God incarnate come down to earth to witness his own creation put him to death, but before he allows that to take place, he wishes to wash the feet of mere mortals! 

And why all this?  John explains it like this: ¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

We turn now to the psalm of the day which happens to be a very long one, and from which a partial reading is ours for the day.  Some verses that are food for thought are as follows:

² Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
   in obeying your decrees!
⁹ How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
¹² Praise be to you, LORD;
teach me your decrees.

Finally, two verses from the book of Proverbs to meditate on:

²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰ Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
   and good news gives health to the bones.

May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word.

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2 SAMUEL 1:1-2:11 | JOHN 12:20-50 | PSALM 118:19-29 | PROVERBS 15:27-28

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Saul is dead, and the messenger who brings this news to David is also soon dead.  Why the messenger, you ask?  Because, it was the principle of it—twice David had opportunity to kill Saul, but both times he does not touch a hair on his head for he believes that Saul is still the anointed one of God and is king of Israel. 

But this Amalekite who happens upon Saul in the midst of battle thinks he is doing Saul a favor by putting him out of his misery when he finds that he is still alive almost impaled on his own spear—and proceeds to kill him.  But this young man does not find favor in the eyes of David when he brings the news of Saul’s death to him.

David mourns Saul’s death and records a lament on this occasion.  Jonathan was like a brother to him, after all, and David always viewed Saul as the anointed king of Israel—despite the great insecurity that Saul harbored ever since David slew the great Goliath.  And so, David sings this lament, paying tribute to both Saul and Jonathan:

²³ Saul and Jonathan— in life they were loved and admired, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

²⁴ “Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.

²⁵ “How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.

²⁶ I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.

²⁷ “How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!”

An end of an era, but certainly the beginning of a new one.  We are now, incidentally, into a new book:  the second book of Samuel.  After the death of Saul, in due time, David inquires of the Lord and goes down to Hebron where he is established king of Judah.  However, Judah is one of many provinces in ancient Palestine.  One of Saul’s sons is appointed king of the rest of the tribes in succession.  There would have been conflict surely between the Houses of David and Saul.

Turning now to our reading in the book of John, Jesus foretells his death, and continues to exhort the people to believe in him as the long-awaited Messiah. 

He says quite plainly:  “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. ³⁶ Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

There are many who believe, and yet there are still many others who do not.  Jesus continues: “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. ⁴⁵ The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. ⁴⁶ I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

Our psalm for the day is a continuation of Psalm 118.  David is foretelling the great salvation that is to come with the coming of the Messiah who would be unfortunately rejected by his people.  It is Jesus himself who is that cornerstone that David speaks of:

²² The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;

²³ the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

²⁴ The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

David’s frequent litanies of praise are ones to be emulated.  It is never too much or too soon to raise our voices in praise to the Lord.  Like David, may we also say:

²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Finally, two verses from the book of Proverbs that are good food for thought.  The first one is a straightforward instruction to flee from the giving or getting of bribes.  The second is one that reminds us to weigh our responses with care.  Solomon, wise king of Israel, says:

²⁷ The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.

²⁸ The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word.