“The thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” If common persons had committed what David and Bathsheba had done, they would have been stoned to death. Stoning would have been the penalty for either adultery or murder. When Saul refused to kill Agag and the livestock of the Amalekites, God tore the kingdom away from him and gave it to David. By my standard it would seem that adultery and murder were far worse crimes than what Saul did. But he doesn’t tear the kingdom away from David. Does God have a double standard? As we will see in tomorrow’s reading, David still had consequences to his sins. What I take away from this is that, as believers, our sins are under the blood of the Lord Jesus, and the eternal penalty of eternal death is paid for. However, although the just penalty is paid, there are still consequences to our sin that we can never escape in the temporal world. Saul’s consequence was that the kingdom was torn away from his family line. How do you execute justice upon the one in charge of carrying out justice? Ultimately, the king was in charge of carrying out justice in the country. What would be the consequences of David’s sin? We will find out in the next chapter, but for now, remember that the God of glory does not let sin slip by. Yes, the eternal penalty is paid for and applied to believers. However, the temporal consequences often remain. That is part of His glory. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
This picture is taken from our hotel balcony in Amman looking east. The building corner at the top of the mountain is the Roman Citadel at the top of the ancient city of Rabbah. The ruins of the city which Joab was besieging, when Uriah lost his life, lie further south and east.
Above is a map of the Citadel, Amman Jordan. Ancient Rabbah was located in the area of what is called the Lower Terrace. The picture of the Roman Theater is taken from the vantage point of the south wall about where the upper and lower terrace meet. The Roman Theater is seen at the focal point of the picture. With the steep slopes to the ancient city, it would have been very difficult to conquer.
Psalm 76
I am sitting in Tulsa International Airport. A few minutes ago I walked through Albert Schwab Hall. The hall is dedicated to a WWII hero who gave his life in successfully destroying two machine gun nests in the taking of Okinawa. As I think back on the report of his heroic sacrifice, I think of the description of stouthearted in verse five. His stoutheartedness drove him to defeat the enemy in order to save the lives of the men in his unit.
Israel’s enemies had no shortage of stouthearted men. Asaph called them a mountain of prey. But what does he say about the Lord in comparison to them? He says, “You are more glorious and excellent.” One day our mighty God shall destroy the weapons of warfare of His enemies. His glory will shine brighter than the glory of our best warriors. He will make even the wrath of man to glorify Him. Wow! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Ezekiel 45
Once again I received a telephone call from someone who cannot pay their rent. As always, the explanation given to me is, “I had unexpected bills, and we lost or our jobs,” etc. In a county where 32% of the people live below the government’s definition of poverty, this is all too common. Some of the people in poverty in our county are there simply because, for whatever reason, they are not working. The reasons include unwillingness to do what it takes, disabilities that prevent them from doing what it takes, lack of opportunity (a job). Even when they do get a job, frequently the job is only minimum wage. To live in housing in our community and to receive only minimum wage does not work mathematically. People who own houses in our community can make a very comfortable living by renting the houses. Our student population makes for high demand in the rental housing market. The result is that rental housing outstrips the ability for a single family/single wage earner to make ends meet. In some senses it is the landlords of our community who produce this situation. But then, the market supports it. I cannot blame a landlord for getting the most that he can get for his investment. But in some sense, it is that attitude that dispossesses the people from being able to afford a house. I don’t blame landlords. I’ve thought about becoming one myself, but the corporate attitude hurts the poor.
The instructions given in this chapter have never been fulfilled in history. If they are to be considered literal, then It will probably only occur during the millennium. It seems odd to me that the Lord would have to instruct the princes during the millennium to stop dispossessing the people and to use honest weights and measures and to rule justly and righteously. With Him ruling as King, wouldn’t the princes already know that? But then I guess the point of the millennium is to demonstrate to all of creation that even under the perfect rule of a righteous king that the heart of man is still deceitful above all things; therefore, the instruction must be given.
Under a righteous King, property is redistributed; taxes are fairly defined and extracted; sacrifices are faithfully performed (I still have not figured out why sacrifices will be necessary when Jesus’ sacrifice pays it all); festivals are properly observed. Passover especially is celebrated joyfully by the nation. It will be to the glory of the Lord that those in charge at lower levels will rule properly. It should happen that landlords won’t charge too much, people will give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wage, and employers will give an honest day’s wage for and honest day’s work. This kind of ideal can only be accomplished under the direction of a righteous King. One day we will have Him—when Jesus returns. Indeed, we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
2 Corinthians 8
What is it about Jesus that makes people want to give themselves to Him? It is His glory. What is it about His glory? He was infinitely rich, constantly adored in heaven. Yet, for me, for us, He left those riches and became man. He was poor. He was despised. He was rejected. He was crucified for our sin. He became our sin. He died, forsaken by the Father. Yet, He rose again and defeated sin and death and offers to us His riches, if we trust Him. What grace! Such glorious grace compels me to give Him all! When others have need, we give, because of and for His glory! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
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