From Lighthouse Trails Research
Showing posts with label People of the Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label People of the Bible. Show all posts
Mary According To Scripture
From Lighthouse Trails Research
Lazarus - Suffering Doesn't Mean God Hates You
When we think of the rich man and the beggar, Lazarus, we tend to focus on the aspect of the rich man ending up in hell. He could see, was fully conscious, could hear, could think, reason and could feel. Lazarus often gets past over. As if he's only the counter weight to the rich man's plenty.Luke 16:19-21 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores."
"The Beggar" Aziz Ben fineartamerica.com
Lazarus was poor. It appears he was in such dire poverty due to leprosy, which was a common ailment back then. He was forced to beg just to survive. So down, so low was Lazarus, he yearned to have the scraps from the rich man's table. Even the scraps, that were discarded and thrown away, were far better than what Lazarus was having to live on. To make matters worse, Lazarus was further humiliated and beaten down by having the local, roaming dogs surround him to lick his open sores. Beggars weren't treated kindly and were often viewed as having committed some grievous wrong against God to be in such a state (John 9:2). The people assumed he was under a curse and treated him that way. Like most of humanity, we keep our eyes fixed on the shiny objects in front of us, lust after them and miss the real treasure the earth can't contain.
"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side." Luke 16:22
The beggar didn't inherit eternal life simply because he was poor, a beggar and sick did he? Of course not. How would the diseased, down trodden beggar end up in eternity if he wasn't in a relationship with God? He wouldn't have. Obviously, despite his deplorable circumstances in life, this man was a lowly servant of the Most High God. Despite that, he suffered far more than most of us could ever imagine. By all worldly accounts, he didn't appear to be blessed by God in any way, shape or form. Subsequently, it appeared that the rich man, was in fact, the one blessed by God.
There was a much bigger picture that would reverberate throughout time to teach billions of people to come, however. In order to have that reverberation and impact, God allowed Lazarus to suffer. Lazarus may have suffered greatly in his short life while the rich man seemed to enjoy life, but in the end the roles were entirely switched. Now Lazarus was enjoying life, and not just any life, his is lasting forever, while the rich man now suffers beyond anything even Lazarus could ever begin to comprehend.
Don't be deceived. Trying to accomplish your best life now means you're forfeiting an eternal life later. The rich man had his "best life now" yet, with all his riches, with all his luxury, ease and "happiness", he lacked what Lazarus had...a relationship with the Judge. By the time the rich man realized it was all worth nothing, he was already in hell. What we endure now is a vapor. It's like spitting in the ocean compared to what's to come. This life is the closest we will ever get to hell. While for most others like the rich man, this life is the closest they will ever get to heaven. How many of us in the west are suffering like Lazarus did or even coming close?
Despite the conditions Lazarus lived in daily, he never turned on God. He never demanded better. He never whined or complained that the rich man lived in ease while he suffered. He lived in horrible conditions, but the one thing he did have was a treasure even the rich man couldn't afford: a relationship with the Almighty God.
"Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. " Psalm 73:25-26
Having all the riches in the world is not a testimony to God greatness, love and mercy. Being a Lazarus and still trusting God and serving Him in spite of suffering is a testimony heard loud and clear by everyone. Millions of people have been won to Christ while witnessing Believers being persecuted severely and suffering in some way, but still refusing to compromise, complain or lose faith. Persecution and suffering is what made the Gospel spread like wild fire during Biblical times. Persecution and suffering still spreads the Gospel even today.
If you're suffering or being persecuted then be encouraged. Be content in your situation and with what little you may have (Hebrews 13:5-6). There is a much bigger picture that goes far beyond your situation and will reach to the ends of the universe and the depths of hell. If we know God controls all things and nothing can happen without His permission then therein lies our comfort.
Who do you have in heaven? God. What can earth possibly offer you to take His place? Though you suffer, though your body fail you, though you suffer persecution for the cross, though you lose everything and everyone you love, God is your strength and inheritance. Not heaven. Not riches. Not meeting up with long lost loved ones in Heaven like a bus station. God is your treasure and strength and this world, and all we experience in it, is only temporary and a speck in eternity.
Frances Chan "What are you living for?" He puts this short life we wade through compared to eternity, in a very clear and powerful perspective.
God Is Unfair
Job begins with a confrontation between God and Satan where the angels come to present themselves to God and Satan shows up. Immediately, God starts bragging to Satan about Job, how righteous he is and that there's no one like him (Job 1:8). But Satan responds to God that Job's only as righteous as he is because God has a wall of protection and blessing around him. If God were to remove it and strike Job's wealth, Job would curse God. (Job 1:9-11)
This is a direct challenge to God that's accepted. God knows His servant, but also God understood something Satan didn't, God is the one who keeps His people standing. They don't do it on their own. God is the one who restrains and upholds us, not us. So God accepts the challenge and gives Satan permission to strike all of Job's wealth and destroy it with the stipulation Satan could not touch Job himself.(Job 1:12).
As soon as calamities hit and Job lost everything (flocks and his children), the first thing Job did was humble himself and said “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21). In such a terrible disaster Job didn't accuse God of being unfair or doing anything wrong. Job understood that all he had including his children that he loved, came from God alone. Since God was the giver and creator then all things belonged to Him and He had free reign to do with them as He chose.
After some time past, again Satan arrived with the rest of the angels before the throne and God gets a dig in about Job. He starts bragging again to Satan. “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” (Job 2:4-5)
God accepted the challenge once more, but tells Satan he must spare Job's life. In all of this God is still sovereign. No matter what Satan does he still needs God's permission to do it and is limited to how much he can inflict. This is the restraining grace of God. Notice Satan tells God, "if You stretch out Your hand..." God Himself is not working all the destruction, but He is allowing it. In effect, though Satan is the actual destroyer, God is the One who allows him to wreak havoc and restrains him. God isn't committing evil Himself, but He is allowing it for His own purposes. Those purposes always include to glorify Himself, show His greatness and for the salvation of many.
Satan strikes Job with terrible sores all over his body. To get relief from them, he took a piece of broken pottery and scraped his skin with it. Job's wife then sees him and says "Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”(Job 2:9)
Job rebuked her “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”(Job 2:10) Most people get his wife wrong. Even the Koran projects Job's wife as being wicked, but there's a misunderstanding of the Hebrew word for "curse" and "integrity". First, her advice to curse God doesn't fit her character. She did live the rest of her days with Job and Job clearly respected and honored his wife (Job 31) so to automatically assume she was wicked from her response is wrong. The Hebrew for "curse" in this text is "birk" and it means to "bow, bless, kneel." The Hebrew for "integrity" in the sense she used is "tummah" and it means to "end, complete, cease, be spent"
She wasn't telling Job to curse God and die. She was telling him to follow the customary edict of bowing out with a blessing to God and accepting death which is still a customary practice today. Job wasn't rebuking her "curse" he was arguing against the custom. As if to say "I'm not going out like that and how dare you suggest I do! If I can accept good from God and not crumble so I can accept trouble and not fall apart."
From there is where the rest of the book of Job goes. His friends show up and throughout the rest of the book they accuse Job of sinning somehow therefore inciting God's punishment. They continue rebuking him for not confessing his sins and wrongly assume that God always rewards good and punishes evil without leaving room for other reasons Job's suffering has occurred. This faulty theology limits God sovereignty and wisdom. God doesn't always reward and punish for good or evil, but for others reasons and purposes.
Job keeps insisting he hasn't sinned. He maintains his innocence and this causes his friends' rebukes to become harsher. As if to say: "How dare you think you haven't sinned against El Shaddai. Are you perfect like Him?" The going back and forth like this only enrages and discourages Job. He insists he did nothing to warrant God's punishment, but even in all of this Job never once cursed God. But still Job challenged God to explain Himself. He put God on trial so to speak. If Job hadn't sinned then why was he being punished? Job had the exact same mentality as his friends. God only rewards good and punishes evil with nothing in between.
After a while of arguing between Job and his friends God shows up, turns it around and puts Job on trial, demanding answers from him.“Who is this that obscures My plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me." Job 38:2-3
Then God says to Job “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!"Job 38:4-5 God is basically saying "Who are you, Job who has lived maybe 70 years while I'm eternal. Where were you when I created everything. You're so wise in your vapor of a life you must know!"
God then gives Job examples of what it is to be the Creator and asks him if He has any of the power and authority God has. God then rebukes Job with a series of arguments to show His power and authority over weak mans. That God controls everything while Job can't control whether he even gets sick or not. God can restrain easily even the most fierce creatures while Job can't even get near them without being ripped apart. Job is nothing more than another creature in a world of creatures that God created. "You are the creature Job and I am the Creator." Big difference.
God is Ruler over everything and as Ruler and Creator everything is at His disposal. He made it, He runs it, He has absolute freedom over it and He can do with man and creation as He wants. He doesn't need approval from people to do anything nor does He look for it. Because He's the Creator and mankind is just weak creatures, who are we to question God's fairness, mercy, judgment and wisdom? Who are we to accuse God of doing wrong? He owns and runs everything. If He wants to destroy it all and all people he can do it. If He chooses some and not others to save then He can. If He chooses to bless one and not the other He's allowed and it's just incredibly silly to question it or argue against it. If you buy a house and decide to take a baseball bat to the entire house who can stop you? You paid for it.
“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who accuses God answer Him!”Job 40:2
Like Job, when suffering hits us, our understanding and knowledge is extremely limited to what's in front of our faces. We don't always understand why bad things happen to us or the world. We don't know what's going on behind the scenes and in our suffering. We usually don't care. But we should. The entire book of Job is about God's free rule and sovereignty over all of creation. We are simply a part of that creation. God assures us that all things work (bad or good) according to His own purposes and for our good (Romans 8:28). That trust in His words and wisdom is enough. To fight against that or accuse God of being unfair is stupid. Who are you, person whose lived 20 years? Who are you, man whose lives 50 years? You know nothing nor do you have any power or control. We're just creatures among many creatures created by God for God in a world that doesn't belong to us. It's not about us. It's about Him.
The Rape of Dinah
(Genesis 34) Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. When Jacob found good pasture for his flocks, he settled his family in Shechem, the land of Canaan, within sight of the city itself after working out a deal to buy the plot of land from the King. Once Jacob settled his family there Dinah wandered away to take in the sights of the new place and get to know the foreign women she'd be living along side. It sure wasn't a usual practice to allow young women to wander, but considering the size of Jacob's family and all the activity with his flocks, servants and daily life, it would be easy for a young, curious girl to sneak away unnoticed.
While out, she was spotted by the King's son, Shechem. Selfishly, without wasting any time, Shechem took Dinah and raped her (verse 2). We're told Shechem fell in love with her after his brutal attack and "spoke tenderly to her" (verse 3). That seems odd at first, but when one considers how selfish this prince was and sociopathic, it makes sense. He didn't see what he did as wrong. He saw it as his right and thought he was doing right by her by being nice to her afterwards. She should, in fact, feel fortunate to have gotten the attention of the next King of Shechem.
Afterwards he tells Hamor, his father, to get Dinah as his wife. Which means, work out a deal with her father. (verse 4) He obviously assumed Jacob would be alright with this arrangement. Afterall his daughter would be queen eventually. He also underestimated Dinah's older brothers.
When Jacob learned about his daughter being raped, he did nothing at first. His sons were in the fields with the livestock so Jacob waited for them to return. This could be for safety reasons. They were living in a foreign land and basically surrounded. In the meantime though, Hamor went to Jacob to work out a marriage between Dinah and his son. As Hamor was speaking to Jacob, his sons returned. They'd gotten word of the rape and went home as quickly as they could (verse 7).
Their reaction was completely understandable. Verse 7 says they were shocked and furious. They probably surrounded the King and his son, there was probably a lot of yelling, threats, answers being demanded. Hamor tried to reason with them by explaining Shechem wanted to marry Dinah (verse 8). As if to say "He shouldn't have raped her, but look...he wants to marry her. She's already defiled anyway so there won't be any hopefuls later. Just let them marry."
This is malicious behavior. Hamor and his son obviously weren't getting the viciousness or the trauma Shechem had caused. This only enraged Dinah's brother more. Hamor then explains Jacob's sons could intermarry with the women of Shechem, they could take all the land they liked, acquire property and trade in the land. Hamor was treating Dinah like a piece of property (verse 9).
It appears Hamor's offer wasn't winning any favor with Jacob and his sons. He then offers to pay for Dinah...any price as long as he gets Dinah for his spoiled, selfish, sociopathic son (verse 12). Nothing like a good enabler! At this point, I think Jacob's sons realized there was just no reasoning with Hamor. He just wasn't going to get what his son had done. So they change up tactics and deceive the King.
Verse 14 says they told Hamor they could only give Dinah to Shechem if all the men of the city were circumcised as they were (verse 16). If they do agree to that then Jacob's sons will allow Dinah to marry Shechem. The King and his son agreed and lost no time in being circumcised and ordering all the males in the land to be as well. Three days later after being circumcised, while all the men were in a lot of pain, Jacob's sons attacked the city and killed every male there including the King and his son Shechem. They then looted the city and took everything of value, including flocks, herd, women and children.
I certainly understand their rage over the rape of their sister. Who could blame them for that? But when it was all said and done, Jacob could only think about himself by being upset with his sons for making him look "obnoxious" (verse 30) and for bringing potential trouble on them.
The men did go overboard in their revenge. Shechem did deserve to be punished for what he'd done, but killing every male was punishing them for something they had nothing to do with. They may not have been Hebrew, they may not have lived under the same Abrahamic covenant as Jacob and his family, but they were still human beings, still innocent of the crime and God is righteous with all people, not just those who have a covenant with Him.
As Patriarch of the family, Jacob failed to deal with the situation at all let alone properly. Jacob didn't take any action for his daughter, which could have been what spurned his sons on their revenge. He also failed in not keeping his boys in line. These same sons also sold their brother Joseph into slavery and deceived Jacob into thinking Joseph was dead. When parents don't reign in their kids and teach them properly, it not only brings shame and grief to the parents later, it brings grief to society in general as we learn so vividly through King David. The revenge they took was overkill for the crime. When Jacob confronted them about it, they're excuse was...
“Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?”(verse 31)
As I stated earlier, in America alone there are way too many women who can relate to Dinah's story. They've suffered with this crime too. They know what it's like to be shunned by others, treated with disregard by those close to them, even blamed for the crime themselves, as many early Bible scholars did with Dinah. Like Dinah, they're the victim, but often treated like the victimizer. It's tragic and there's no excuse for it. Despite man's imperfections and sins, God is still just and merciful. He understands and is compassionate while many...even family, are not.
Romans 12:19 "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord."
In a situation like this, revenge seems justified or our courts may not deal with it as we see fit. No one can fault anyone for wanting to take things into their own hands, but more often than not, when we do, others suffer too who had nothing to do with the crime. We can eventually forgive, but we never forget. Even if they do escape here the harsh punishment we want them to have, there is still one more Judge they have to face. Not only do they pay in the next life, but a man reaps what he sows in this life too. If you've been the victim of a rape and have never told anyone, like many women, God already knows. He knows how you feel, the trauma of it and the implications later of it. He also knows your rapist and they won't escape.
You may even blame God for the crime, but God doesn't approve of any crime or sin. He never wills them to happen. He never condones evil under any circumstances. The fault lies only with man. Unfortunately man is sinful and full of evil and as the host of sin (man) increased on the earth, so did evil and it makes everyone a victim in one way or another and perpetrator as well in one way or another.
Joseph - When We Suffer Unfairly
Usually it's pretty baffling to us. Sometimes we're hit from way out of left field. Sometimes we become accustomed to bad situations that we never expect anything good to happen. And still sometimes things are going great and we make all kinds of plans, looking forward to a bright future when suddenly everything goes right down the tubes for no apparent reason.
The Bible says "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;" 2 Timothy 3:16
Those Scriptures are directing us to look at the people of the past and learn from them. No matter how "great" we see people such as Moses, David, Joshua, Abraham etc, they were really just imperfect people like us. There was nothing special about them that made God choose them. They had many of the same problems we have and suffered in many of the same ways we do. There's reasons why God wanted to show us people like the above with warts and all.
1.To show us that there is no such thing as great people of God, only a great God.
2.To reveal how gracious and merciful He is.
3.To show us He can use anyone.
4.To give us examples for us to learn from. Examples we can relate to.
With that in mind let's take a look at one person who takes center stage from Genesis chapters 37-50. Joseph was the 11th son born to Jacob and Zilpah. He was 17 years old when his 10 brothers tried to kill him, but then opted to sell him into slavery instead. Joseph was a favorite of Jacob because he was born to him in his old age (Genesis 37:2) so there were a lot of years between him and the rest of his brothers except for the youngest, Benjamin.
Joseph was Jacob's informer. While out tending sheep with his brothers, he would bring reports to Jacob about what they were up to. His brothers were already aware that Jacob loved Joseph more so there was a big jealousy issue. Jacob had even made Joseph an ornate robe to wear which fueled the jealousy. Genesis 37: 4 says they hated Joseph and couldn't even say anything nice to him.There was nothing but hostility toward their brother, so much so, they couldn't even pretend to be cordial.
Outside of being a tattle tale, which would just be annoying, there was no reason for his 10 brothers to hate him and want him dead. They were much older than Joseph with families of their own. Compared to them he was a kid, but they took the jealousy, fueled it among themselves into hate and put it in Joseph's lap.
When Joseph went to see his brothers, who were grazing Jacob's flocks in Dothan, they saw him coming in the distance and instantly began plotting to kill him. Except for Reuben the oldest. He was all for throwing him in a cistern, giving him a scare and maybe roughing him up a little (Genesis 37:21). He didn't like Joseph anymore than they did, but he had a little bit more sense about murdering someone.
When Joseph reached them, they stripped him of the special coat Jacob made, roughed him up and threw him in an empty water cistern. Later they sold him to traveling Midianite merchants who later sold Joseph to Potiphar in Egypt as a slave. They then took his ripped ornate robe, slaughtered a goat, put blood on it then took it back to Jacob so he'd think his favorite son had been killed by a wild animal. Problem solved! And they didn't have to kill anyone to accomplish it.
That was pretty bad, but that's not the worst of what Joseph endured. He spent many years as Potiphar's slave in Egypt through no fault of his own and when things were going good for him (about as good as it could get for a slave) he was then thrown into prison when Potiphar's wife accused him of trying to rape her. What possibly saved him from death was Potiphar knew Joseph's integrity and liked him, but he had to do something. Joseph was still just a slave and prison was the only option. He was beaten severely in prison and lived there in conditions we wouldn't even let a dog live in. All this because his brothers were jealous of Jacob's attention on Joseph.
But, by God's grace, help and design, Joseph proved to be intelligent, responsible, full of integrity and trustworthy. Things slowly began to turn around for Joseph and he caught the attention of Pharaoh while in prison. He was given the meaning of Pharaoh's disturbing dreams by God and he interpreted them correctly about a coming famine that God was sending. So Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint discerning and wise men as commissioners over Egypt to plan and oversee the storing of extra grain from the crops for 7 years because in the 8th year a severe famine would strike. And it happened just as Joseph said. They not only had plenty of food to survive on, but they were also able to sell grain to starving outsiders.
So impressed was Pharaoh, who fully recognized God was with Joseph, he gave that job to Joseph himself. The way Pharaoh saw it was, if God was willing to make things like this known to Joseph then obviously He could further lead the slave with wisdom to handle the preparations to save Egypt. Joseph was 30 years old when he was put over the land. He became the 2nd most powerful man there in Egypt under Pharaoh. That fast it all changed for him because of God.
In the end Joseph's brothers came to Egypt to buy grain to keep from starving and he was reunited with them. He forgave them for what they had done to him because Joseph recognized that though their actions were absolutely horrific, he told them "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20
Joseph didn't deserve what had happened to him. He had no control over the abuse he suffered. He did nothing to cause it. It was totally thrust on him, but God used the evil actions and sin of his brothers and others to save many lives through the victim. That doesn't mean everyone who suffers will one day end up like Joseph, but it does mean God can and will turn it all around and use it for the good of not just us, but our families, friends and others. Nothing is ever in vain. Nothing is meaningless and "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Things may have been bad for you or may still be. Like Joseph you may have many scars from a rough life, but it's not over. If you belong to God...it's just not over. The same God that was "with Joseph" (Genesis 39:2) is also with you. Before any harvest to come later the ground must first be broken. Suffering is a refiner. Suffering is a fire that burns away dross. No one can ascend without the climb. We are to be patient, endure with God's help, remain faithful to God in spite of all things thrown at us and fear God above all situations and people. But not of our own, on our own. He's gives us the ability and strength to do it. It's not over...
Daniel - No Compromise Even To Death
He was carried off to Babylon while still young when the Babylonians invaded Judah and carried off the captives. He quickly rose to become one of the most prominent men in the King of Babylon's court. Daniel and 3 of his friends were chosen because of their wisdom and beauty to be trained as advisers. Daniel, Hanaiah, Mishael and Azariah, all hebrew names, were given the Babylonian names, Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Following the 3 years of royal training Daniel became known for the ability to interpret dreams. He also interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream of his descent into insanity and living in the wild like an animal for 7 years (Daniel 4).
When the Persians later conquered Babylon Daniel still held his position in the court. He continued to be highly respected and esteemed as he had been among the Babylonians. Daniel had a lot of influence and favor with Darius which made him virtually untouchable. Being a foreigner of the captive group and having risen to such an elevated position over the entire kingdom, Daniel began to attract jealousy. (Daniel 6) The administrators and the satraps tried to find some faults with Daniel in all of his government affairs, but they couldn't. Unable to find any corruption in Daniel or negligence they began to conspire, to use the one God Daniel worshiped and was loyal to against him.
They went to Darius and suggested the King make a law that no one could pray to any god except Darius for next 30 days. If anyone did they were to be thrown into the lion's den. Darius wasn't opposed. Darius didn't realize yet they simply did this to trap Daniel and get him out of the way. They knew better than anyone Daniel would never bow down to worship anything or anyone outside of God. King Darius wrote out the decree and once it was written it couldn't be undone even by the King.
Once Daniel heard about it, he went home to his upstairs room with the windows open toward Jerusalem, got on his knees and prayed as was his custom to do 3 times a day. The conspirators went as a group to Daniel's house and "caught" him breaking the King's law. That was the first place they went out of an entire kingdom. They immediately went to the King about Daniel and said “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” Daniel 6:13
It's not that Daniel had no loyalty to Darius, didn't care or didn't take Darius seriously. Daniel's loyalty was first to God. Darius was no dummy. What they didn't understand in their conspiracy, accusations and scheming was Darius knew better about Daniel. Darius immediately recognized, upon them reporting Daniel, the new law they suggested had actually been a trap, not for all people living under Persian rule, but specifically against Daniel. Darius had no problem with Daniel's worship of this foreign God, because that worship, loyalty and obedience to his God made Daniel beneficial, trustworthy, highly capable and loyal to Darius as it had to the Babylonians before Persian rule.
Distressed over Daniel being caught in their trap, Darius seemed to panic and immediately tried to do everything he could to rescue Daniel. He looked for every way to free him, but couldn't. Once the decree was written, by law, it couldn't be undone. Darius had no choice but to have Daniel thrown into the lion's den.
Something huge happens between Daniel, Darius and God. Before the stone was rolled over the opening of the cave, king Darius told Daniel “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”Daniel 6:16. Darius didn't have a good night. He was up the entire time frantic about Daniel. He couldn't eat, couldn't sleep and only wanted to be left alone. As soon as the sun rose, Darius hurried to the den hoping that Daniel's God had performed a miracle.
That alone says so much about Daniel's character and known loyalty to God. A God that Darius, the Persians or the Babylonians before didn't even know. They just witnessed the strong relationship through Daniel, they benefited greatly from it and it gave Darius enough faith in a foreign God that Daniel might make it. The fact that Darius ran to the tomb the next morning looking for a very much alive Daniel, is a picture of the disciples running to Christ's tomb. Darius showed tremendous amounts of faith that he even went to the tomb at all, let alone ran to it. There was no logical way Daniel would still be alive. Those lions kept in that den were always half starved purposely. There was no way Daniel could out maneuver them all night long, fight them off or keep them back. So the faith Darius displayed wasn't in Daniel, or those lions. It was in God alone.
When Darius reached the stone he yelled for his adviser “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel 6:20
Not just any god, "the living God". The eternal, all powerful, active, highly involved and righteous God. He didn't just yell "Hey! Are you alive in there?!" Darius chose to honor God and display his faith even in yelling out for Daniel. This is a huge statement in itself coming from a pagan. In essence, Darius was elevating the God of the Jews above all others including his own and himself. Rulers, in that part of the world, were considered and worshiped as gods. But even Darius knew his gods couldn't perform such a miracle or even himself. He or his gods were no match for this God. This all came to be because of one man's faithfulness and his refusal to compromise.
"Daniel answered, 'May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.' The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." Daniel 6:21-23
Of course the administrators and satraps were immediately arrested for their conspiracy. They, along with their families, were thrown into the den where they were devoured. But Daniel in the lion's den is a great lesson on faithfulness to God even though it cost us our lives. Daniel could have went home and not prayed for 30 days. By all earthly accounts he had a lot to lose. Daniel could have closed the window so he wasn't seen, but that wasn't what he normally did. Daniel continued despite the new law to be faithful and worship God.
We compromise so much and so easily. We'll easily lie so as not to disrupt our lives, our jobs or positions and families. We're told it's ok to lie if it means we could lose our lives, families, etc. That's not what God says. It's either total devotion or none at all. Had Daniel even changed anything about his loyalty to God, even just to close the window, it would have been sin and compromise. The same as if Daniel had bowed down and prayed to the king as the new law required. Though he thought he was going to die, Daniel would not slip or give in. Because he was faithful even unto death, God rescued him from the half starved lions kept for law breakers.
Not only was Daniel spared, but what he did was a huge testimony to Darius who immediately issued a decree throughout the kingdom "people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end." Daniel would rather be put to death than to go against God. Daniel would rather be ripped apart by hungry lions than to disrespect or disobey God. Darius noticed. Though Daniel's enemies tried to use that faithfulness against him, they noticed Daniel's relationship with God too.
It was after he'd been thrown into the den that Daniel began to have his apocalyptic visions. Because he stayed faithful he's not only immortalized and known throughout the world still, he was shown things that no one has ever seen. He experienced things no one would. From Daniel do we understand so many prophecies that we watch daily coming to pass. The den was the test and gateway to being used by God in unbelievable ways. He went on to live a long life and later was laid to rest (many believe) in Susa in Iran.
Millions have been won to Christ because they witnessed someone refusing to compromise for God and not loving their lives even unto death for His sake. Persecution of any kind can be an opportunity for a tremendous witness. Even just refusing to bend by lying (even if seen as a small lie) is a strong statement to those around us. Others notice and that's the mark of true integrity, standing for what's right in all situations. Any amount of compromise poisons everything else. Whatever we face and whatever we may go through, what's important is holding firm to our faith and standing our ground even if it costs us our very lives.
Solomon - From Righteousness To Idolatry
Solomon took the throne of Israel around 967 B.C. and ruled for 40 years. The first 20 years of his reign were prosperous. He took on many building projects in Israel, he ruled righteously and there was peace. As time wore on though Solomon began trusting in his power and wealth. He became proud and this was the beginning of his slide. Instead of trusting in God who gave Solomon the kingdom, Solomon began building foreign alliances through marriages. Ultimately Solomon ended up with 700 wives and 300 concubines.
"King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.' Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray." 1 Kings 11:2-3
By Solomon's disobedience to the Law and intermarrying with so many foreign women when he became older, they influenced him into idolatry. Solomon never stopped worshiping God, but he also included other gods. (1 Kings 11:4) Solomon tolerated idolatry and compromised God's Truth for himself. He allowed paganism to mingle with the One true God and settled on worldly wisdom rather than what was divine.
"He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done. On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods. " 1 Kings 11:5-7
It's fair to say Solomon ran after the flesh when he should have been following closely behind God and depending on Him to keep him on a straight path.
"For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. " Romans 8:13
He knew God's commands, he'd been tremendously blessed by God and was visited by God twice only to eventually turn away. God became angry with Solomon and promised that He would tear the kingdom away from him but for David's sake he would leave Solomon one tribe while the others would be ripped away. It would happen, God said, under the rule of his son. And it did. (1 Kings 11:9-13) Solomon gives us a clear example of what happens when we allow other things to take the place of God. Anything that does is an idol and God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14)
Throughout history we see God waging a war, destroying, His wrath being stirred up against people for one thing...idolatry. God cannot bear idolatry. He simply cannot allow someone or something being lifted up to His place and to wear His crown. False gods have always been tolerant of each other and willing to share their thrones, but not God.
The plagues He sent on Egypt was a war against Egyptian gods. Each plague was specifically designed and purposed to attack a certain god the Egyptians worshiped, to prove to them He was the only God and all the gods they worshiped were worthless and powerless. When the Philistines took the ark and set it inside their god Dagon's Temple (1 Samuel 5) the Philistines found their beloved god laying face down with it's head and hands broken off. Dagon had no problem sharing his temple with God, but God did. Judah and Israel were eventually destroyed and the people scattered because of idolatry. Many ancient, powerful nations have been brought down because of idolatry. For Solomon to be placed on a throne that God created, for Solomon to inherit a kingdom that God put together then turn to other gods was a severe slap in the face.
Everything in the universe He created. He keeps it running. We wake up every morning because of Him. He gives us everything we need to live. He loves us, cares for us and instead of showing gratitude and proper worship, we make other things our gods as if they had anything to do with us just taking in a breath.
"But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them" Psalm 115:4-8
What an insult to such a great Being. To attribute all of creation and even our lives and success on ourselves or something other than God's blessing and design is insulting. Idolatry isn't just a wooden, plaster, or metal image or object. It's anything we lift up in our lives that get more attention, more devotion, more love than God. It's money, other people, things we buy, things we want to buy, cars, food, success, revenge, grief, obsessions, etc. God is a jealous God and will wage a war against anyone and anything that is lifted up in His place in our heart, thoughts and lifestyles. He will not share His glory with another. Us humans are prone to idolatry. We are prone to exchanging the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:25). We are prone to accepting anything that will cater to ourselves and turn ourselves in idols. Most men will follow certain religions because it appeals to their sinful nature. It allows them to be selfish, violent, hateful, self centered, greedy and lustful therefore they love it and will fight to keep it. Since it's in us, we need to be extremely careful.
"I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not give My glory to another or My praise to idols." Isaiah 42:8
This is where Solomon fell. It's tragic that a man so blessed by God, who was even allowed to live from birth, who was exalted to the throne of Israel for no other reason then God picked him and he turns his worship to other gods, himself and women. Solomon should serve as an example that all the wisdom he had he eventually just became a fool. For all the wealth he had Solomon became bankrupt inside and it had far reaching repercussions. Wealth is not such a blessing. The more someone has the more they're prone to turn away. In the end, it cannot save anyone. Nothing can save us but God alone. We will all still die and take nothing with us and everything we've worshiped will sit in judgment against us.
He is jealous over us, His name, His character, His sovereignty, His throne, His crown, all things He created and will not allow anything else to take His place. Sometimes He will have strike us to get us to turn back to Him and it can be devastating, but always necessary. I believe Solomon is in heaven, because years later he did repent and turn away, but like I end so many other posts...there are no great men and women of God. Only a great God.
David - The Sword That Never Left His House
It was Spring, a time when Kings went to war. A time of good weather and when food would be easier to gather for a marching army. Except David. He stayed in Jerusalem while his army attacked Rabbah. This wasn't David's usual practice, but he stayed behind anyway. His lapse in judgment that Spring would have lasting, tragic consequences that would follow him for the rest of his life.
One evening that Spring, David went onto his roof of his Palace (2 Samuel 11:2). From there he could look down onto the neighboring roofs which is where he saw Bathsheba bathing. He wanted her so he asked his servants about her. They simply told him she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and daughter of Eliam. Two mighty, respected and loyal men in David's army who were away at war where he should have been. Spurned by his own lust, David sent for her anyway.
This isn't a case that Bathsheba didn't refuse out of fear of David. Even if she was afraid of him and what he might do if she refused, that's not an excuse. She nor David were above the law of God. (2 Samuel 11:4) She went to David and he "lay with her".
Verse 4 also points out that she was clean from her impurity. In other words she had just come off her menstruation and went through the ritual cleansing process before she slept with David. We're told this simply to make known there was no way Bathsheba was pregnant by her husband.
Afterward, Bathsheba returned home. Some time later she sent a note to David that simply said "I am with child". This was not good news for either of them. According to the Law in Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22, the penalty for adultery was death. They may have been able to hide it before, but their secret was about to be blown wide open.
"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13
David didn't panic at first, but instead of dealing with it righteously, he continued to try to cover it up by sending for Uriah from the battlefield (2 Sam 11:6) When Uriah returned, David made some casual conversation with one of his best soldiers. He asked how his commander Joab was. How were the men? How was the war effort going? Since Uriah was there David told him to go home to rest. David even sent food from the king's table with him so Uriah could spend a nice evening at home with his wife, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. David was sure he would sleep with Bathsheba and the baby could easily be past off as Uriah's.
(2 Sam 11:9) Uriah the Gentile was more honorable and righteous than that. He had too much loyalty to David and his fellow soldiers. Instead of going home to be with his wife, bathe, eat good food and sleep in a nice bed, Uriah slept on the floor at the king's door with the servants. Uriah didn't think it was fair that he be in comfort while so many other men were sleeping on the battlefields. When David heard this the next day he started to panic.
2 Sam 11:12 David pulled it together and told Uriah to remain in Jerusalem another two days before returning to battle. Then David called him and they ate and drank together until Uriah was drunk. David was certain now Uriah would go home to be with his wife. But once more Uriah returned to the servants and slept at the King's door. (2 Sam 11:13)
When David heard this he became desperate. In his panic he wrote a note to Joab his commander and told him that when Uriah returns to put him in the thickest part of the battle then order the men to back away from him so Uriah would be struck down by the enemy. To make it worse, David sent this note sealing Uriah's death sentence by Uriah himself. (2 Sam 11:14)
The damage was done and this marriage was not going to fix anything. 2 Sam 11:27 "But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD." Literally, it was pure evil to God and the consequences for David's actions would be evil. "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Galatians 6:7
God sent Nathan the Prophet to David to expose his sins and warn him that because David had Uriah murdered "by the sword of the people of Ammon" (2 Sam 12:9) God promised David that "the sword shall never leave your house" (2 Sam 12:10). David despised God in his gross disobedience and defiance then further sinned by trying to cover it up. God spared David's life, but He would still demand restitution for Uriah. David's sin had to be judged. When Bathsheba had the baby God took its life. Though David would not eat or sleep when the baby became sick, though he fasted and prayed continuously for God to spare the baby, the baby died. By allowing the baby to live it gave occasion for blasphemy against God by God's enemies. God had to protect His own reputation, holiness and righteousness. David didn't face the full penalty for his crimes, but death isn't always a punishment. Sometimes living is worse.
Because the analogy Nathan used to confront David about his sin was that of a rich man who had many flocks ( David's many wives) stealing the only ewe lamb a poor man had (Uriah's only wife Bathsheba), the restitution God was demanding was the same for the theft of a lamb. According to the Law, restitution for a stolen lamb was to be repaid four-fold (Exodus 22:1) David did pay four-fold eventually by losing four sons. The baby, Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah (2 Sam 12:19).
Eventually, Bathsheba got pregnant again and bore Solomon. It says "the Lord loved him" (2 Sam 12:24). and sent this message by the Prophet Nathan. God called Solomon Jedidiah which means "Beloved of the Lord" (2 Sam 12:25) We know Solomon went on to succeed David on the throne of Israel and was greatly blessed by God, but David's life from that mistake with Bathsheba cost him dearly and the sword never did leave his house. Because Uriah died so violently, violence would never leave David. David may have found grace with God in that he didn't face the full penalty of being put to death for what was done and he was forgiven, he still had to face consequences just the same. Forgiveness doesn't always mean a free pass. Sometimes God may lighten the load, but evil always follows evil and consequences always follow from our choices. If they didn't, we'd never learn.
There are no great men and women of God. Only a great God.
A Psalm David wrote after Nathan confronted him about Bathsheba and Uriah. Psalm 51...
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Paul the Terrorist = Hope
We first get introduced to Paul in the book of Acts where Stephen is being stoned. Stephen, being the first martyr, (Acts 6:8) was executed for preaching. Paul was there encouraging and stirring up the rabid crowd as they pelted Stephen with stones. We're even told some of those stoning Stephen left their cloaks at Paul's feet while they murdered Stephen as a show of respect. Paul stood by and watched approvingly.
What we can find about Paul in his writings is interesting. He grew up in a wealthy family. He was born in Tarsus in 4 or 5 BC in the city of Cilicia. He was also a Roman citizen which was rare for Jews to have in that time and he was raised in a devout Jewish family, but was also under a hellenistic Greek influence. Paul was not only fluent in Koine Greek, (Acts 21) but also classical Greek which he could only have gotten at the university level of education.
In Paul's time there were three sects of Judaism: Pharisees, Saducees and Essenes. The Essenes were the most strict religiously of the three. They usually didn't marry. The Saducees were smaller in number, but most were rich and powerful and had a lot of political influence. They controlled most of the high offices, temple rulers and priests. Then there were the Pharisees who believed Jews had to follow the Law of Moses to the smallest detail. From the Pharisees we get the Talmud, the oral traditions. The Pharisees made sure everyone else was obeying the Law.
Paul was a Pharisee. A very prominent Pharisee. Paul's education started around 5 years old in the synagogue. In Acts 23 we find Paul left Tarsus to live in Jerusalem to attend the Hillel Rabbinical school where he learned under one of the greatest Rabbinical Scholars of all time, Rabbi Simeon ben Gamaliel. Under Gamaliel, Paul was also exposed to Greek philosophy as well as a top notch Rabbinical education. Needless to say, Paul became a great thinker, philosopher and scholar. He was a great influential Rabbi and Pharisee and it's no wonder wherever he went (even at the stoning of Stephen) he was shown such high esteem. Though Paul was young, he had accomplished so much.
Now we can understand a little better of Paul zealousness for the Law. His persecution of Christians was for the purpose of making them fall back in line to the Law of Moses. Very few early Christians were Gentiles, but Jews. Because of Stephen's execution and the heavy persecution that followed (Acts 8) many new converts were thrown into prison while the rest of the Christians were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Scattering them had the opposite effect Jewish leaders like Paul hoped for. Strike the Shepherd and the sheep scatter has never worked with Christians. Strike the Shepherd and the sheep increase exponentially. Wherever the Christians were scattered there they preached and conversion began to rise dramatically throughout Jewish territories. Paul made it his mission to root them out and had a lot to do with the severe persecution against Christians in Jerusalem.
Paul was encouraged by his success and campaign of persecution in Jerusalem so he decided to take his band of Christian crushers to Damascus, where many Christians had run, to seek them out and have them thrown into prison, executed and/or beaten. But while on his way to Damascus Paul had a vision of Christ, was knocked from his horse and ended up converting in the dust of that road.
After he converted and was visited by Ananias, Paul began showing up in synagogues telling anyone who would listen about his conversion. That's typical isn't it? I myself used to think Christians were nuts. They always had to tell everyone about getting "saved". Then I myself went through it and I finally understood. Such an amazing, world rocking, complete over haul change....how can you NOT tell others? It was the same with Paul too.
Paul was a famous guy. The Christians that were hearing him didn't trust him. They thought he was just claiming conversion to find out who the Christians were. The Jews thought he'd lost his mind. The Apostles in Jerusalem heard about Paul and there were many skeptics among them. First Stephen was executed under Paul then James (John's brother) was executed so you can imagine the Apostles had little trust. They kept Paul at arms length and weren't exactly warming up to him quickly. Finally, after 13 years Paul made the trek to Jerusalem where he met the other Apostles and after meeting with him they recognized God's call on him and accepted him as one of them, but even still John kept his distance a while longer.
This murdering, religious, terrorist zealot went on to be one of the most prominent men in history and wrote most of the New Testament.
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:15-16
When I hear of terrorists in the middle east converting and becoming missionaries, Pastors and teachers, it doesn't surprise me. I only think of Paul. There is no one beyond God's reach. All have sinned and not one of us is "good". If God can save someone like Paul then He can save anyone. The drug dealer, gang member, prostitute, murderer, thief, persecutor, terrorist...there is still hope for them.
Paul seemed to embody so many levels of society. The educated, the least (Jews in that day), the cast offs, the terrorist, the intellectual, the cynics. He was all of them and still he was changed in a matter of seconds and went on to spread Christianity to places no one could have dreamed. From this man we get most of the New Testament writings and most he did while in prison for preaching. Paul is everyone. So the next time we think this group or that group is beyond God then remember Paul of Tarsus, the worst, the chief of sinners and reach out to them. You never know what God can do.
Jehoash "The Lord Has Given" Secret King of Judah
God promised David that his throne would endure forever. David would never fail to have a man on the throne before God. From David came a long line of kings. Some godly, some bad and some really bad. During the time that the kingdom was split (Israel in the north and Judah in the south) Ahaziah was on the throne of Judah, the throne of his forefather David. David had moved the capital from Hebron to Jerusalem in the territory of the tribe of Judah when he conquered the Jebusites. When the kingdom was split later under King Rehoboam, son of Solomon, Jerusalem remained the capital of Judah and Israel's capital became Samaria.
Ahaziah was the son of King Jehoram who was not a popular king in the least. In fact in 2 Chronicles 21:20 it says "Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings."
He also had a not so popular mother named Athaliah. Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab of Israel and his wife Jezebel. Athaliah was just like her mother. Israel and Judah battled many years, but Jehoram and Ahab tried to bring peace by Jehoram marrying Ahab's daughter as many alliances were formed in monarchies.
Ahaziah becomes king 841/840 BC and his mother was a huge influence on him. She was Jezebel #2 and she influenced him to follow the god Baal like her mother did in Israel to the north. Ahaziah was not a good king. A year after reigning Ahaziah went to visit Joram King of Israel and things went down hill. There were problems brewing in Israel at that time. By God's instruction the prophet Elisha (Elijah's predecessor) sends a young, unnamed prophet to Ramoth Gilead to anoint a new king (Jehu) and bolt out. It was just that fast.
"the prophet poured the oil on Jehu's head and declared, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'I anoint you king over the Lord's people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord's servants shed by Jezebel. The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel -- slave or free. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.' Then he opened the door and ran!" 2 Kings 9:6-12
Jezebel was notorious for having the prophets slaughtered. He didn't want to be next in line. However in the process of executing Joram, Ahaziah was also struck down by Jehu. God didn't tell Jehu to kill Ahaziah, but he did and literally all hell broke loose in Judah because their king was now dead too.
As soon as Athaliah heard about her son's death she had every one of Ahaziah's sons, her own grandchildren, put to death. She was taking over the throne. Ahaziah may not have been a good king, but he was a seed of David as were his sons. The impact of Ahaziah's sons being put to death was devastating to the people of Judah. They always believed and were promised that God would always have one of David's on the throne. Suddenly, it all seemed lost and God's promise seemed to be broken. They were crushed, shocked and totally bewildered.
But God is always faithful to a promise...
"But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Jehoash (aka Joash or Joas) son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah's sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land." 2 Chromicles 22:11-12
This princess took one of Ahaziah's sons, a baby, and hid him in the temple for six years while his grandmother ruled. The temple in Jerusalem was right next to the palace. David left instructions for Solomon to build the temple that close to keep his sons close to God. Athaliah ruled Judah with one of her grandsons right next door and she didn't know it.
Why wouldn't she know it? She worshipped Baal like her mother not God. She never went near the temple let alone inside of it. Nevertheless, Jehoash was kept there and brought up under the priest Jehoiada who was Jehosheba's husband. Jehoiada was a righteous priest and served God. So while the little boy was there in the temple he raised Jehoash under his teaching and direction. Jehoash was fully trained in the Law, in scripture and in righteousness.
When Jehoash was six years Jehoiada was ready to crown him king (2 Chronicles 23) A six year old was vastly better than that woman that sat on throne. Inside the Temple a storm was brewing. Can you imagine the call going out across Judah that in fact all of David's seed had not been killed? There was one, a little boy that had been hidden away from everyone and they were ready to crown him king. Soldiers filled up that temple in a big hurry surrounding their new king to protect him. Jehoiada brought out all the weapons that were King David's kept in storerooms in the temple because not just any weapons were gonna do. They were making a statement by using those that belonged to David. The statement being "Jehoash was the rightful ruler...seed of David.
And they had their weapons in their hands. Not over their shoulder...not holstered or sheathed. They were in hand and ready to fight to the last man standing to put that kid on the throne. Surrounding the new king ...a mere little boy who was probably scared and confused, weapons in hand, ready for a war, all the soldiers, all the commanders, all the priests and all the Levites waited as Jehoiada put the crown on his little head and gave him a copy of the covenant to serve God only. Once he was crowned everyone began to shout at the top of their lungs "LONG LIVE THE KING!" 2 Chronicles 23:11
Athaliah heard the loud chanting coming from the temple coming as a complete surprise. She went running out of the palace and into the temple to face the coup and when she saw a surviving grandson now crowned king in her place she had a total meltdown. She tore her robes and screamed "Treason! Treason!"
That's an interesting reaction isn't it? The second she laid eyes on that kid she knew without a doubt that boy was one of her grandsons, a son of Ahaziah that should have been killed. She knew immediately on seeing Jehoash that he was a rightful heir...there was no mistake. I love how Jehoiada handles it. So fed up with Athaliah and her wickedness, so fed up with her idolatry and leading Judah into idolatry.....
"Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops, and said to them: "Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not put her to death at the temple of the LORD." So they seized her as she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and there they put her to death." 2 Chronicles 23:14-15
Not only was she to be put to death, but also anyone who followed her...or rather anyone who sided with her or showed any kind of allegiance. I can imagine any friends she had in the kingdom suddenly faded into the shadows. In essence he was saying "That's enough with this woman!" Following this they went about through Judah and tore down Baal's temples, shrines and anything else that was idolatrous. They made a covenant to serve God and be faithful to Him. Then taking commanders, rulers, priests, nobles and all the people with him, they marched the new king down to the palace and seated him on the throne "and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword." 2 Chronicles 23:21
What an amazing story! Jehoash truly was given by the Lord as his name means. God being faithful to His promise to David kept one boy alive and put him on the throne in Judah. The story doesn't exactly end here but it'll be worth getting into later. He's still faithful to this very day through Messiah the son of David (Matthew 1:1), Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) who now is enthroned before God eternally and will one day return, subdue His kingdom (earth) under Him and take the throne in Jerusalem where He will rule for 1,000 years. God is so good!
Tamar : Judah's Thorn, God's Grace
Now the Bible says Er was wicked in the sight of the Lord (Genesis 38:7) and God slew him. When you consider the coming Messiah centuries later this is understandable. No man is perfect, but obviously Er repulsed God by his life and He wasn't going to use him to carry a bag of dirty socks let alone the blood line of Messiah. Not having had a son to carry on Er's lineage and according to the customs of that time, Er's brother was to carry on his line for him by impregnating his widowed wife until she bore a son. This job fell on Onan, Judah's second son.
Onan wasn't a pinnacle of honor himself either. Knowing that the first son his brother's wife may have wouldn't be considered his heir "he wasted his seed on the ground, in order not to give offspring to his brother." Genesis 38:9
This truly is a strange custom, but necessary at the time. The first son born to Tamar by her husband's brother would be considered her husband's and raised as such. The offspring would eventually be able to care for the mother, more people would populate the area and those kids born would raise their children under the name and family of the dead husband. Onan was fully aware of the custom and instead of honoring his brother and being obedient to his father, he chose to be selfish and not perform his duty at all.
This brought a heavy price for Onan. "What he did was wicked in the LORD's sight; so He put him to death also." Genesis 38:10. It was wicked because even though Onan had no idea about the Messiah to come, his selfishness was a wicked affront to God and His plans to provide mankind with a Savior. At that time Judah was wondering what in the world was wrong with Tamar. Two sons lost to one woman! The next in line for Tamar would be Judah's son Shelah. He was too young at the time to take on this duty for his dead brother. Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar "Live as a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up.' For he thought, 'He may die too, just like his brothers.' So Tamar went to live in her father's house." Genesis 38:11
Judah pawned her off. She should have remained in Judah's household and family, but instead he cast her aside afraid Shelah would die too. He sent her to live with her father and was hoping over time she may forget about Shelah and find another husband. Obviously Judah had no intentions of fulfilling the duty for Er either. Tamar became an outcast, tossed out from her husband's family.
This was a huge blemish on her to be returned to her father widowed and with no children like a broken toy returned to the manufacturer stamped DEFECTIVE. Society looked down on childless women and who would care for her when her father was gone? Who would marry her after having two dead husbands? She had become an outcast through no fault of her own. This had to be devastating to Tamar. Tamar may not have said much or if she did it wasn't recorded, but judging by the customs of the time she probably kept things to herself and was obedient to those in authority over her.
After a long while Judah's wife died also. When Judah recovered from grieving he went to Timnah to see the men who were shearing his sheep for him. Tamar had continued living with her father waiting patiently for Shelah who was now old enough. She heard Judah was going to Timnah. At this point she realized Judah wasn't going to honor Er or his duty and give her to Shelah as his wife. She decided if Judah wasn't going to send Shelah then she'd go to Judah. So she put a veil over her head to disguise herself, changed her clothes and went to sit on the road leading to Timnah to put herself right in Judah's path (Gensis38:14)
'And what will you give me to sleep with you?' she asked.
'I'll send you a young goat from my flock,' he said.
'Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?' she asked.
'What pledge should I give you?'
'Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand,' she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him." Genesis 38:16-18
Once she left Judah she changed her clothes and went back to her father's house. After awhile Judah sent the young goat by his friend Hirah and Hirah was to get his seal, cord and staff back from the prostitute. Only problem was Hirah couldn't find her. He asked around town for the prostitute and everyone told him there was no prostitute around. So Hirah reported back to Judah that he couldn't find her. Judah didn't want to be a laughingstock by having went to a prostitute so he told Hirah it was ok. She could keep what he'd given her and he did try to send her the young goat (Genesis 38:23) thus honoring his word. How embarrassing for Hirah. I'm sure he was trying to be secretive about this goat he had to deliver to a prostitute. The people he's asking, Hirah's assuming would be familiar with the prostitute, but they weren't. They were probably looking at him like "prostitute huh? There is no prostitute probably because we wouldn't be using her if there was one you perv." And Hirah was doing it for his friend. Try telling those people that. "I didn't see the prostitute...my friend did" ya right!
3 months later Judah hears that Tamar is pregnant and guilty of prostitution. After all, she's widowed, but is suddenly pregnant. Instantly he wants her burned for it. In the eyes of the law she was Shelah's wife and this was bringing shame on his family. Of course Judah didn't stop to think that he didn't want Shelah with Tamar and was trying to avoid it. He went instantly selfish and hypocritical and only worried that it was making him and his family look bad. She was drug from her father's house on Judah's orders to be burned on the forehead or cheek as a lable to everyone she was a harlot. She then has a desperate message sent to Judah saying "'I am pregnant by the man who owns these,' And she added, 'See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.'" Genesis 38:25
Judah was the adulterer not Tamar. She acted in accordance with the law by going to Judah when he failed to send Shelah as he should have. He was the criminal not her. How embarrassing for Judah! Everyone now knows she wasn't a prostitute. Judah was the harlot. After all he'd done so he and his family wouldn't look bad, he and his family now looked really bad because of him.
She shouldn't have deceived him and that was her sin, but Judah should have done what was right by her. Judah was shocked, but he did confess his sin "'She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah.'" Genesis 38:2. He owned his sin rather than dodge it. He couldn't deny it to protect himself. He openly looked silly.
Months later Tamar gave birth to twin boys. "As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, 'This one came out first.' But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, 'So this is how you have broken out!' And he was named Perez. Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out and he was given the name Zerah." Genesis 38:28-30
The babies seemed to be already struggling for the birthrate before they were born and Perez won the struggle. Through the line of Perez came the Messiah. Judah sure wasn't cast into a good light in this story and Tamar, a gentile, did act more righteous than Judah the Hebrew, she still obtained her rights deceitfully. God still showed grace however, in that through them the Messiah came. There are no great men and women of God. Only a great God. Despite man's sinfulness God still shows grace and mercy. He still brings about His will and purposes in spite of us for us.
Absalom's Tragic Life
2 Samuel 14 describes Absalom as being a beautiful man. From the top of his head to the soles of his feet there, wasn't a single fault with him and not a single person in Israel who could compare. Tall, strong, beautiful, with a head of long hair that would make most girls today despise him. He cut it yearly and the cuttings weighed about 5 pounds. 2 Samuel 14:26. He was extremely proud of it too. As per custom of the day...he probably used scented oils on it and laced jewels and gold dust in it.
It wasn't until Absalom's young sister Tamar Tamar's Rape was raped by their half brother Amnon, who was heir to the throne, do we see Absalom's true character emerging. He took Tamar into his own home following the rape and cared for her as per custom of that day, but he never stopped stewing over what Amnon had done. It's quite possible David heard of the rape through Absalom himself, who was the first to find out about it from Tamar. If that's the case, Absalom may have demanded justice. After 2 years went by and David failed to take action, Absalom began to plot his own revenge with an eye on the throne as well.
David should have acted, but he didn't. Amnon was his 1st born, the heir to the throne. David's motives for not acting were entirely selfish. He was really protecting himself and not Amnon or Tamar. His own son had done a wicked thing and would be a huge blemish on the country and his family. It would look to everyone as if David failed as a father by not disciplining his sons. If he couldn't govern his own house how could the people expect him to govern their nation? The scandal would have rocked the entire middle east if it got out.
There's a lot of speculation people can make concerning the family dynamics in David's house. He had many wives and concubines which went against God's warning. It looks as if this created a lot of rivalry among siblings, jealousy, resentment, anger especially when a throne is tossed into the mix. After Tamar was raped, Absalom seemed to go off the deep end. When nothing was done about his sister this may have been the straw that broke the camel's back.
David was well aware of Absalom's animosity toward Amnon even though Absalom never said anything to Amnon about what happen good or bad. In 2 Samuel 13:24 Absalom invited David, all of his officials and all of his brothers to a banquet. King David declined in 13:25 by telling him it would be a huge burden to Absalom (probably financially, security wise, room for them, etc.) if he came bringing all of his officials with him. Absalom pressed his father to come anyway and still David declined, but gave his blessing. In v. 26. Absalom then tells David he wants Amnon to come.
David immediately asks "why". He was instantly suspicious of Absalom's motives. Absalom pressed him though so David gave in and sent Amnon and the rest of his sons.
Grief stricken David tore his clothes and fell face down until his brother Shimeah told him "only Amnon is dead! This has been Absalom's intention ever since Amnon raped his sister!" 2 Samuel 13:32.
Absalom ran too. He not only had the future king and his brother murdered, but it was premeditated murder and the penalty was death. So he fled to his grandfather, Talmai the King of Geshur, where he took refuge for the next 3 years leaving David to mourn for Amnon day after day. Eventually time healed his wounds and he began to "long to see Absalom" 13:39
Joab knew David missed Absalom so he cooked up a scheme to get Absalom to come back to Israel. It eventually worked and after 3 years Absalom returned. But David told Joab "he must go to his own house and not see my face" 14:24. David worried if he allowed Absalom to see him he would think David condoned his sin and hoped it would draw his son into deeper repentance and humble him. Absalom didn't see David for 2 years after returning to Israel.
Eventually Absalom became impatient and sent for Joab repeatedly, but Joab ignored him. IN frustration, Absalom had his servants set fire to Joab's ripe wheat fields to force Joab to see him. That got Joab's attention. When Joab went to Absalom in a rage Absalom told him "Look, I sent word to you and said, 'Come here so I can send you to the king to ask, "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there!"' Now then, I want to see the king's face, and if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death." 14:32
Hardly a humble, repentant man at all. Joab went to the king and was able to get David to see Absalom. When Absalom got there he bowed down before David and David showed his forgiveness of his son by kissing him. Over time, Absalom settled back into life in Israel, but began gathering men, chariots and horses. He also began inserting himself at the gate to hear complaints from the people meant for the king. Absalom would listen and settle their matters for them all the while gaining favor from the people. Whenever the people would come and bow down, he would offer his hand, pull them up and kiss them charming the pants off even the poorest.
He then would tell them "If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice." 2 Samuel 15:4. Not only was he gorgeous (a characteristic important to people in a leader), but he was kind to them, treating them with the highest respect, kissing them even and promising them swift justice if only he had some power. I wonder if he promised a chicken in every pot too?
"And so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel." 15:6. Four years later after systematically gaining widespread favor throughout the kingdom and suckering them thoroughly, he lied to David and said he needed to go to Hebron to fulfill a vow to the Lord. David let him go not knowing Absalom took 200 men with him, who had no idea what he was up to, then sent secret messengers throughout Israel instructing them that when they heard the trumpets to loudly proclaim Absalom was king. At this point, David was old and they were probably assuming David would make Absalom King instead of Solomon since Absalom now wielded so much authority as a sort of "judge" in Israel. Let's not forget, at this point, the people loved Absalom.
While in Hebron, Absalom sent for one of David's closest counselors, Ahithophel who was now conspiring with Absalom and whose following kept growing. A messenger told David the people were following Absalom now. David packed up, gathered his officials and they ran for the hills. A revolt was coming and he was the target. With his entire household following him, David fled Israel but left 10 concubines behind to take care of the palace. Absalom returned to Jerusalem with Ahtithophel and Absalom asked his advice on what to do next. Ahtithophel said "lie with your father's concubines whom he left to take care of the palace" 16:21
Per custom, whoever had the King's harem had the throne. Absalom wasn't just happy sleeping with the women. He made a public spectacle of it by erecting a tent on the palace roof and laying with the women in full view of the people in Jerusalem. 16:22 Atithophel then instructed Absalom to send 12,000 men to go after David and kill only him. Why in the world would this man who was a trusted counselor to David for decades turn on him so viciously? Ahtithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba 2 Samuel 11:3, 23:34 and his son Eliam (Bathsheba's father) was a close friend with Uriah her husband 1 Chronicles 3:5. Ahtithophel had a bone to pick with David and he meant to do it.
Instead, Absalom follows the advice of Hushai, another of David's trusted counselors, and decides to go with an vast army to slaughter David and his men. But Hushai secretly sent David a message telling him what Ahtithophel had advised, his own advice and what Absalom was planning to do. David and his men crossed the Jordan after getting the message to avoid Absalom. When Antithophel heard his advice had not been followed he went home, put his house in order then hung himself 17:23. He knew Absalom would fail and David would return. Though old, David was still a fierce warrior, military genius and his loyal men, though outnumbered, were just as vicious and fierce as the King. Absalom stood no chance and Antithophel knew his own life would be taken for treason.
Absalom had his father on the run and he chased with Israel to kill his father, but David was escaping because of Hushai. Then David sent out the thousands of men who went with him and Joab was leading them. But David gave an express command to Joab before he left "Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake." And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders." 18:5
"He was left hanging in midair while the mule he was riding on kept going. When one of the men saw this, he told Joab, 'I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!' Joab said to the man who had told him this, "What! You saw him? Why didn't you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels of silver and a warrior's belt.' But the man replied, 'Even if a thousand shekels were weighed out into my hands, I would not lift my hand against the king's son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, 'Protect the young man Absalom for my sake. And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son--and the king would certainly find out who did it--you yourself would be the first to abandon me!'" 18:9-13
So Joab took his javelin, went to Absalom and plunged it into his heart while he hung in the tree. Then 10 of Joab's armor bearers surrounded him and struck him to make sure he was dead. Now that Absalom was dead Joab sounded the trumpet so the men would stop pursuing Israel. They then took Absalom's body and threw it into a pit where they piled stones on top of him.
"During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King's Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, "I have no son to carry on the memory of my name." He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom's Monument to this day." 18:18
Absalom's did in fact have 3 sons, but they died and this monument in the photo is the actual monument. Now David had to be told the news that his son was dead and his orders had not been obeyed. When the messengers reached David he asked instantly "Is the young man Absalom safe?"18:29
Absalom was dead. "The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: 'O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you--O Absalom, my son, my son!'" 18:33. Even when Joab arrived and told David he needed to go speak to his men and commend them on such a great victory David "covered his face and cried aloud, 'O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!'" 19:4.
Joab was not happy with this reaction and told David "'Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come upon you from your youth till now.' So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, 'The king is sitting in the gateway,' they all came before him. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes." 19:5-8
Those men just saved his neck, throne and family and he was worried about his son who revolted and managed to turn most of his country against him. David returned to the palace and took the throne once more. Eventually Solomon was named successor. Despite Absalom's responsibility in the whole matter, the sin ultimately returned in David's lap. By not acting on Amnon's or Absalom's gross wickedness, by not reigning in his kids and disciplining them, David enabled their behavior and helped create monsters. By not doing what was right and handing out justice, David also condoned their wickedness. He tried to protect them and himself from the consequences, but "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that he shall also reap." Galatians 6:7-9
David was the first authority figure in his kids lives. If they couldn't respect his authority as a father and a ruler they would never respect anyone else, especially God's. By Absalom's rebellion, he was actually rebelling against God, thus the fight was with Him. The sin of such blatant disobedience to parents, authority figures and to God is never taken lightly and the end is always far from what we hope for...it ends in our own destruction.
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