David Embodies God’s Justice (07/08/2012)

Background Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:1 – 23:7; 1 Chronicles 18:14 Lesson Passage: 2 Samuel 23:1 –7; 1 Chronicles 18:14 David embodies God’s justice. What does that really mean? What does it mean to embody anything? In a highly spiritual sense, the word “embody” means to personify or incarnate. It literally means to take that which is spiritual and to make it physical or concrete. It is to give physical expression to something that is otherwise imperceptible or not capable of being perceived. For David—or anyone for that matter—to embody a characteristic that is of God is truly phenomenal. This can only happen when a person has experienced and come to know God in a way that they can reflect a part of God’s glory to others. The background scripture shows that this is indeed the case with David. Chapter 22 of 2 Samuel is a psalm that David wrote in praise of God for the great deliverance God had provided him. David’s life reflects that God had truly delivered him out of some tough situations. But God didn’t stop there. He went further and elevated David to be king over all of God’s people and other nations were made to serve David as well. David had much to be thankful for and as a result, he expressed his thanksgiving in the form of praise. His praise described the attributes of God that were seen through His mighty works. David related God’s faithfulness to him in the language of the covenant that God made with Israel during the time of Moses. David embraced his blessings because he could see that they resulted from his being obedient to God’s covenant. Love for God can only be expressed through obedience to Him. David declared that this was indeed the case with him. Although David declared his obedience to God as being in line with God’s requirement of him, he did not take credit for any deliverance. When he was delivered, he acknowledged that it was only because of God’s grace. David spent many years on the run from King Saul but he did not attribute his own cunningness to his survivor. He hid in the caves and rocks of the mountain sides but he understood that his true protection came from the Rock that is above all, that is God. His psalm was a celebration of God preserving his life. As we turn our attention to the final words that David uttered, we again see that he speaks of God’s covenant. Here, it is much more personal. He does not speak of God’s covenant with Israel but God’s covenant with him. This covenant was relayed to David by the prophet of God named Nathan. Nathan informed David that God was going to establish a covenant with him that would last into eternity. Yes, even after David’s death, God’s covenant would be in effect because of His relationship with David. God was going to establish David’s throne to be an everlasting throne. God would place David’s descendant on the throne and no power in Heaven or in earth would be able to overthrow him. This knowledge provided security for David well beyond the grave. For such an unmerited gift, David’s proper response was to embody God’s justice while he sat on the throne so that others would see the reflected glory David had experienced. Robert C. Hudson June 26, 2012

Samuel Administers Justice (07/01/2012)

July 1, 2012 Background Scripture: 1 Samuel 4 – 7 Lesson Passage: 1 Samuel 7:3 – 17 Samuel holds a very unique place in the history of Israel. He served as prophet, priest, and judge over Israel. It was during his tenure as judge that the nation petitioned to have a king like the other nations around them. Moses had warned their forefathers in the wilderness not to mimic the nations of Canaan by seeking a king. Throughout Israel’s history, God had warned them to avoid trying to be like the nations that were around them. In fact, God warned them that the reason he was displacing those nations and giving the land to Israel was because of the unrighteousness and abominations committed by those nations over a period of centuries. Yet and still, Israel wanted to fit in with her neighbors rather than stand out from them. This was a heartbreaking reality for Samuel. Through what is sometimes referred to as His permissive will, God allowed Israel to have a king although it was not in line with His perfect will for them. As Israel’s official civil and religious leader, it was Samuel’s duty to lead them through this transition. Prior to this transition, Samuel administered justice by serving as Israel’s last judge. Our lesson today gives the background that led to Samuel becoming Israel’s judge and to Israel’s subsequent historic transition from theocracy (God as leader) to monarchy (a king as leader). For years, Israel had been drifting towards idolatry in two ways. On the one hand, they secretly served the pagan gods of their neighbors and on the other hand they began to look towards the Ark of the Covenant as an idol god rather than look at its deeper meaning. The presence of the Ark of the Covenant in their midst was to serve as a reminder that the only true and living God was among them. God was the one to be revered and followed and not the ark. However, this was not Israel’s attitude. Israel’s attitude led them to take the ark into battle along with the two sons of Eli. They were not acting according to God’s directions but according to their own desire. They were attempting to use the ark that God had declared as holy to serve their own sinful wills. Because of their attitude towards the ark, God allowed the ark to be captured by the Philistines and Israel was routed in battle as well. This was a dual embarrassment for them. The news of it caused despair throughout Israel and resulted in Eli falling and breaking his neck and dying upon hearing the distressing news concerning the ark. Note that it was not the news concerning the death of his sons but rather the loss of the ark that led to Eli’s death. This led to Samuel’s rise to replace Eli as Israel’s leader. Afterwards, God allowed the ark to be returned to Israel. Samuel led the nation to get rid of their idols and repent before God and Israel was once again given victory over the Philistines. Israel was able to receive again all of the cities that had been captured by the Philistines and the nation enjoyed peace. During this time of peace, Samuel traveled a circuit through the land of Israel and judged them as God’s appointed leader. Robert C. Hudson June 16, 2012