Scripture Readings:
2 Samuel 4:1-6:23; John 13:31-14:14;
Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 15:31-32
The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.
~Leon Trotsky
As the story begins, two underlings in Abner's army kill Ishbosheth (Saul's son) in his bed, cut off his head, and take the head to David as a peace offering. They don't know David too well, do they. David has a man killed for claiming to kill Saul, and David has these men killed for killing Saul's son in such a dishonorable way.
~Leon Trotsky
2 Samuel 4:1-6:23
Politics can be a dirty game. In our country before you can become a candidate for president of the United States, you have to win your party's primary. This means that five or six people duke it out to become their party's nominee. Although the party has a platform of beliefs and policies on which that group of people agree, the campaigns to win the party nomination are often filled with back-stabbing, lies, and personal attacks. In politics, the end justifies the means. Today in our reading, we are going to see that when David tries to move the Ark of God, the end DOES NOT justify the means.
David becomes king over all of Israel and he will reign for 33 years. God loves symbolism through numbers. I do not believe that it is a mistake that David, who is Jesus' forefather, reigns over the nation of Israel for the same number of years that his descendant, Jesus, was alive. Jesus died at 33 years old. It should also be noted that David was a king for 40 years. There is that number 40 again. God pictures Himself throughout history in a variety of ways. I know He finds pleasure in the small signs and symbols.
David does many great things as the leader of the Israelites, but the desire to bring the Ark of God to the city of David tells you that the Lord is David's primary focus. He is a man of God. The problem is that David does not follow the rules and regulations given by Moses on how to transport the Ark. Remember that the Ark is a picture of Jesus Christ. It is a box made of wood overlaid by gold. This represents Jesus' humanity (wood) and His deity (gold). God's presence dwells with the Ark. The presence of God dwelt in Jesus. Numbers 7:9 details that the Ark must be carried on the shoulders of the priests when transported. This pictures that Jesus Christ would come into this world on the shoulder of the nation of Israel. His people would bring the Messiah to the world on their shoulders.
The procession to bring the Ark to the city of David is filled with music and dancing. We see the joyous heart of David, the musician, as he uses his God-given gifts to worship the Lord. The festivities are halted when all hell breaks loose. There is a problem with how David brings the Ark to the city. David is breaking a sacred picture when he puts the Ark on a cart. The oxen stumble and the Ark teeters. A man named Uzzah goes to steady the Ark. When Uzzah touches the Ark the anger of God blazes forth and kills Uzzah. David is upset and angry at God. He is also fearful of the Ark and of God. David is unaware of his sin.
After a period of time where the Ark blesses the family that has kept it, David forms another celebratory festival to bring the Ark to the city of David in the proper manner. Notice that David repents of his sin, corrects the situation, and regains his joy and zeal for God. This time, the Ark of God is carried into the city in the proper manner.
David's passion for the Lord is so strong that it causes a negative reaction from his wife, Michal. You will remember that she is Saul's daughter, who was given in marriage to another man at one point. Now, she is back with David and her father and brothers are dead. David triumphed over Saul's kingdom and he has multiple wives in addition to all of the glory of reigning over Israel. On top of all of that, Michal is not passionate about the Lord like David is. She ridicules David for dancing like a fool and taking off his royal robes to mix with the commoners as they worship God. David is unequally yoked in his marriage to Michal. Her behavior indicates that she is not a believer in God. David is not pleased with Michal and he never sleeps with her again. She is left as a barren woman both physically and spiritually.
Do you worship the Lord with passion? When He corrects you because of sin in your life, do you readjust your behavior and then go back to passionately worshipping God? What do you think about David being unequally yoked in his marriage?
John 13:31-14:14
Jesus existed before the foundation of the world. His existence on earth was limited to 33 years. Today, we see Jesus trying to cement within his disciples the Truth of who he is, where he is from, and where he is going. After Judas leaves the last supper, Jesus tells the disciples that the time for him to be glorified is coming soon. He says that where he is going, they cannot come, yet.
Peter asks why he can't come with Jesus. He says that he is willing to die for Jesus. Jesus corrects Peter and tells him that he will betray Christ in the next few days. Jesus assures them that where he is going is like a big house with many rooms. He is going to prepare the house for those who love him. When everything is ready and prepared in the house, he is going to come back to earth and get them. Thomas mentions that they don't know the way to get to this house.
Jesus responds that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father, except through Jesus. Jesus is the way to get to this house. Jesus says that if you know Me, then you know the Father. If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. Philip then says that he wants Jesus to show him the Father. Jesus says that Philip has seen the Father, because Philip has seen Jesus. Wow!
Jesus tells the disciples that people are going to believe their message if they learn to love one another. Love is going to be a key quality of his true followers. What do you think of Jesus' last teaching to the disciples? His message is crystal clear. Christianity is an exclusive religion. Jesus thinks there is only one way to get to God. He does not hold to the belief that there are many ways to God. It is clear that Jesus does not believe that worshiping Buddha, your ancestors, nature, Mohammad or Krishna will get you into heaven. Jesus is God in the flesh, and He is the only way to heaven.
Are you okay with this?
Psalm 119:17-32
This psalmist declares that he is a foreigner on the earth. Jesus is preparing a home in heaven for those who believe in him. Do you feel like a foreigner on this earth? Is heaven your home?
Proverbs 15:33
David learned to listen to constructive criticism today from the Lord. As a result, he grew in understanding.
What did you learn today?
Blessings,
Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
@ 2011
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