Read 2 Sam 24
I've always wondered why God got so upset about numbering the people. He told Moses to number the people but got mad when David did. After studying and asking God about it I came to this conclusion. God had said that Israel would be like the sand of the sea - too many to count. Counting had to do with judgement and pride. 2 Co. 10:12 talks about not making ourselves of the number, or comparing ourselves with others. It says that measuring ourselves by ourselves and comparing ourselves amoung ourselves is not wise. For the Israelites, God was mad at their disobedience and wanted to judge their sin, so he moved on David to count them. Joab saw the danger of this in the sense of pride and begged David not to, but David had his mind set.
As soon as the task was accomplished David was sorry. God was going to punish the people because of their sin but he choose to go through David. He gave David the choice for his people. David chose wisely. He put the people in God's hand because he knew how much God loved his people and would perhaps be merciful. God was, and stopped the plague at the threshing floor of Araunah. "Araunah" means "scarlet" which refers to Jesus' blood, which is the only thing standing between us and our rightful judgement. The plague stopped here because all sickness, curses, plague, judgement, etc. stop at the cross. David went to Araunah and tried to buy the threshing floor (which is a place of judgement), Araunah tried to give it to David. David refused to offer God anything that didn't cost him something. The cross is free but it comes with a great price - our lives. Salvation without sacrifice ends in sloppy grace and an immature Christian.
The cost of the field was 50 shekels which what the law requires a person to pay to sanctify his field. (Ex. 30:12) I find that interesting since the land was cursed in the garden of Eden and Jesus blood was poured out on the ground to sanctify it back.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday's Devo - David's Mighty Men
Read 2 Sam 23
David is going to die and he pens his last words. He is placing a blessing on those who go after him. His declares that the same passion and salvation he found in God will grow in those who find their refuge in God. But those who reject God will be burned with fire.
Then he goes to honor his mighty men. He starts with his top 3. Adino the Enite (which means skillful with a sharp sword) who killed 800 at one time with his sword, Eleazar (which means our loving helper) who stayed and fought the Philistines when Israel fled in fear. He fought so hard and long that the sword he was using stuck to his hand. The third one was Shammah (which means a waster of God's enemies). He helped defend a field that was full of lentiles for the men to eat and sustain themselves on.
These 3 men met David at harvest time at the cave of Adullam (a testimony to them). The Philistines were in Bethlehem and David was thinking out loud about how nice it would be to drink some of the water from the well in Bethlehem. The 3 mighty men broke through the Philistine line and drew water from the well of Bethlehem and brought it to David. David was so humbled and awed that they would risk their life for his extravagant desire that he poured the water out on the ground. Then it mentions the captain of the 3 mighty men: Abishai (which means Jehovah, father).
So look at who served David: the Word, the Holy Spirit, Jesus who gave us power over the enemy and God himself. They are our defender and our strong tower, our refuge, and our strength. They train our hands for battle and they go before us to beatup all our enemies. They even risk their lives to bless us extravagantly.
The last man they expound about is Benaiah (he is an angel that God gathered for us). He killed 2 lionlike men and a real lion. (Sounds like the beast, the false prophet and the antichrist in the end)
I hate to do this, but I have to go to an appointment. I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
David is going to die and he pens his last words. He is placing a blessing on those who go after him. His declares that the same passion and salvation he found in God will grow in those who find their refuge in God. But those who reject God will be burned with fire.
Then he goes to honor his mighty men. He starts with his top 3. Adino the Enite (which means skillful with a sharp sword) who killed 800 at one time with his sword, Eleazar (which means our loving helper) who stayed and fought the Philistines when Israel fled in fear. He fought so hard and long that the sword he was using stuck to his hand. The third one was Shammah (which means a waster of God's enemies). He helped defend a field that was full of lentiles for the men to eat and sustain themselves on.
These 3 men met David at harvest time at the cave of Adullam (a testimony to them). The Philistines were in Bethlehem and David was thinking out loud about how nice it would be to drink some of the water from the well in Bethlehem. The 3 mighty men broke through the Philistine line and drew water from the well of Bethlehem and brought it to David. David was so humbled and awed that they would risk their life for his extravagant desire that he poured the water out on the ground. Then it mentions the captain of the 3 mighty men: Abishai (which means Jehovah, father).
So look at who served David: the Word, the Holy Spirit, Jesus who gave us power over the enemy and God himself. They are our defender and our strong tower, our refuge, and our strength. They train our hands for battle and they go before us to beatup all our enemies. They even risk their lives to bless us extravagantly.
The last man they expound about is Benaiah (he is an angel that God gathered for us). He killed 2 lionlike men and a real lion. (Sounds like the beast, the false prophet and the antichrist in the end)
I hate to do this, but I have to go to an appointment. I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday's Devo - Below the Surface
Read 2 Sam 22
I love this. Right in the middle of all this war and drama David stops to pen a beautiful song. You can read it again in Psalms 18 almost word-for-word. This is a Messianic psalms which means Jesus felt these same emotions. This is a glimpse into what happened when Jesus died. The first 7 verses are Jesus' experiences up to the cross and as he hung there. He was afraid and cried out for his father. God came to his rescue. Verse 10-12 says that darkness was under God's feet as he came down to earth. He hid in the dark clouds as he came down to watch. In Matt. 27: 45-46 it says there was darkness from the 6th hour to the 9th hour. During that darkness there must have been lightning and thunder. When it turned light again Jesus knew God's tangible presence had left and he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27: 46)
On top of the earth there was an earthquake (Matt. 27: 50-54) and the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom. Now we know that according to vs. 8, that not only the earth experienced this earth shaking, but also heaven. Maybe when the veil was rent on earth, a door was opened in heaven so that we could all enter in. Also in 14-16 it sounds like an earthquake in the midst of a storm.
Jesus died and in vs. 17 it said that God took him and drew him out of many waters. Are those the waters of his lungs filling up? God delivered him from the strong enemy of death and all those demons that hated him (vs. 18). Jesus was the only man on earth that lived without sin. (vs. 20-25). The rest of the song is Jesus' praise to God for all he did for Jesus and how he helped him defeat Satan.
Dyeing on the cross was not an easy thing for Jesus. He needed God's tangible presence to help him endure it to the end. We are so grateful he did. This chapter makes me want to cry. I don't know if I realized how hard it was for him to do this and not just give up. Thank you Jesus for what you did for us on the cross. You are the tower of salvation to David's seed for evermore.
I love this. Right in the middle of all this war and drama David stops to pen a beautiful song. You can read it again in Psalms 18 almost word-for-word. This is a Messianic psalms which means Jesus felt these same emotions. This is a glimpse into what happened when Jesus died. The first 7 verses are Jesus' experiences up to the cross and as he hung there. He was afraid and cried out for his father. God came to his rescue. Verse 10-12 says that darkness was under God's feet as he came down to earth. He hid in the dark clouds as he came down to watch. In Matt. 27: 45-46 it says there was darkness from the 6th hour to the 9th hour. During that darkness there must have been lightning and thunder. When it turned light again Jesus knew God's tangible presence had left and he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27: 46)
On top of the earth there was an earthquake (Matt. 27: 50-54) and the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom. Now we know that according to vs. 8, that not only the earth experienced this earth shaking, but also heaven. Maybe when the veil was rent on earth, a door was opened in heaven so that we could all enter in. Also in 14-16 it sounds like an earthquake in the midst of a storm.
Jesus died and in vs. 17 it said that God took him and drew him out of many waters. Are those the waters of his lungs filling up? God delivered him from the strong enemy of death and all those demons that hated him (vs. 18). Jesus was the only man on earth that lived without sin. (vs. 20-25). The rest of the song is Jesus' praise to God for all he did for Jesus and how he helped him defeat Satan.
Dyeing on the cross was not an easy thing for Jesus. He needed God's tangible presence to help him endure it to the end. We are so grateful he did. This chapter makes me want to cry. I don't know if I realized how hard it was for him to do this and not just give up. Thank you Jesus for what you did for us on the cross. You are the tower of salvation to David's seed for evermore.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thurs. Devo - Seasons Change and So Must We.
Read 2 Sam 21
Blessings or curses: we have our choice. The only condition is obeying God's word. There is a famine in the land because Saul killed the Gibeonites. Israel had a covenant with them that they would never go against them and the Israelites would fight any of the Gibeonite's enemies that attacked them. They were the people who tricked Joshua dressing up in old clothes and saying they were from a far away land. So now David has to go and offer an to get atonement for breaking the covenant. They decide they want 7 of Saul's sons hanged to pay for the debt.
Verse 9 and 10 are packed with significance...I just don't know if I can understand it. Rizpah lost 2 sons to this agreement. She took sackcloth and spread it on the rock from the beginning of harvest until the water dropped on them from heaven, and she kept the wild animals from feasting on their bodies. This is the seasonal time from Passover to Pentecost. Passover was when Jesus died, was buried and rose again. During the next 50 days the priest would count out one omer a day of barley seeds till he had counted 50 which would be Pentecost. So if Jesus died on Passover, was buried on Unleavened Bread, and rose on First Fruits, then could this lady be the angel who watched over Jesus' body (his disciples) till Pentecost when God rained down the Holy Spirit from heaven? Jesus had told his disciples to go hide out in Jerusalem until he sent them the Holy Spirit. David went and gathered bones of Saul's household from all over the countryside and brought them together and buried them in the country of Benjamin. On the day of Pentecost Israelites from all over the country came together to worship together. When the Holy Spirit fell on the 120 in the upper room. They went out and proclaimed Jesus and the Church was birthed. "Benjamin" stands for the church.
Interestingly right after this there are major fights with giants with new swords. After Pentecost there was one of the largest persecutions the church has ever seen. Many demonic giants came out with new weapons but they defeated everyone of them. If you read the book of Acts you will see blindness, sickness, disease, possesion, deafness, etc defeated. The devil came out with new swords, but God's children were equipped with new weapons given to them at Pentecost. May your church come together in unity and take the provisions you gave us at Pentecost and use them to defeat the enemy.
Blessings or curses: we have our choice. The only condition is obeying God's word. There is a famine in the land because Saul killed the Gibeonites. Israel had a covenant with them that they would never go against them and the Israelites would fight any of the Gibeonite's enemies that attacked them. They were the people who tricked Joshua dressing up in old clothes and saying they were from a far away land. So now David has to go and offer an to get atonement for breaking the covenant. They decide they want 7 of Saul's sons hanged to pay for the debt.
Verse 9 and 10 are packed with significance...I just don't know if I can understand it. Rizpah lost 2 sons to this agreement. She took sackcloth and spread it on the rock from the beginning of harvest until the water dropped on them from heaven, and she kept the wild animals from feasting on their bodies. This is the seasonal time from Passover to Pentecost. Passover was when Jesus died, was buried and rose again. During the next 50 days the priest would count out one omer a day of barley seeds till he had counted 50 which would be Pentecost. So if Jesus died on Passover, was buried on Unleavened Bread, and rose on First Fruits, then could this lady be the angel who watched over Jesus' body (his disciples) till Pentecost when God rained down the Holy Spirit from heaven? Jesus had told his disciples to go hide out in Jerusalem until he sent them the Holy Spirit. David went and gathered bones of Saul's household from all over the countryside and brought them together and buried them in the country of Benjamin. On the day of Pentecost Israelites from all over the country came together to worship together. When the Holy Spirit fell on the 120 in the upper room. They went out and proclaimed Jesus and the Church was birthed. "Benjamin" stands for the church.
Interestingly right after this there are major fights with giants with new swords. After Pentecost there was one of the largest persecutions the church has ever seen. Many demonic giants came out with new weapons but they defeated everyone of them. If you read the book of Acts you will see blindness, sickness, disease, possesion, deafness, etc defeated. The devil came out with new swords, but God's children were equipped with new weapons given to them at Pentecost. May your church come together in unity and take the provisions you gave us at Pentecost and use them to defeat the enemy.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wed. Devo - Off With Your Head, Devil!
Read 2 Sam 20: 4-26
Sheba, another type of Satan, is trying to usurp the kingdom from David. David sends Amasa to rally the men of Judah and be back in 3 days. When he doesn't return David has to take matters into his own hands and gathers Joab's men, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites. The Cherethites and the Pelethites were life guardsmen and messengers. They sound like angels to me. (When flesh and blood can't be found, angels are always at our disposal.) David knew that Sheba was more harmful than Absalom. (New levels; new devils.) I don't understand what happened next. Joab kills Amasa. Aren't they on the same side? I guess tardiness is punishable by death in Joab's army. (A little scarry). Then Joab takes the men Amasa gathered and pursues Sheba. He had gone to a city called Abel. Joab's men surround the wall and start battering it to tear it down. One of the women of the city sought out Joab to ask him why he was tearing down their wall. She declares that she is a faithful follower of God and does not deserve to be killed. She finds out that he only wants Sheba so she promises to throw his head over the wall. She gets the whole town on her side and they cut off Sheba's head and throw it over the wall. Whalla! The war is over and everyone goes home happy. Well everyone but Sheba. So what does this have to do with us? We will never be through fighting the enemy until Jesus comes and sets up his realm of peace (Solomon's rule). Until then, we have to be armed to fight. As far as we are concerned the devil has already been beheaded by the resurrection of Jesus. This wise woman knew who she was and what to do. She not only saved herself, but the whole town and she defeated God's enemy. May we be shrewd like this woman...wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove.
Sheba, another type of Satan, is trying to usurp the kingdom from David. David sends Amasa to rally the men of Judah and be back in 3 days. When he doesn't return David has to take matters into his own hands and gathers Joab's men, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites. The Cherethites and the Pelethites were life guardsmen and messengers. They sound like angels to me. (When flesh and blood can't be found, angels are always at our disposal.) David knew that Sheba was more harmful than Absalom. (New levels; new devils.) I don't understand what happened next. Joab kills Amasa. Aren't they on the same side? I guess tardiness is punishable by death in Joab's army. (A little scarry). Then Joab takes the men Amasa gathered and pursues Sheba. He had gone to a city called Abel. Joab's men surround the wall and start battering it to tear it down. One of the women of the city sought out Joab to ask him why he was tearing down their wall. She declares that she is a faithful follower of God and does not deserve to be killed. She finds out that he only wants Sheba so she promises to throw his head over the wall. She gets the whole town on her side and they cut off Sheba's head and throw it over the wall. Whalla! The war is over and everyone goes home happy. Well everyone but Sheba. So what does this have to do with us? We will never be through fighting the enemy until Jesus comes and sets up his realm of peace (Solomon's rule). Until then, we have to be armed to fight. As far as we are concerned the devil has already been beheaded by the resurrection of Jesus. This wise woman knew who she was and what to do. She not only saved herself, but the whole town and she defeated God's enemy. May we be shrewd like this woman...wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tues. Devo - Don't be Foolish.
Read 2 Sam 20: 1-3
Sheba a man of Belial stood up and blew a trumpet to get the children of Israel to rebel against David and follow him. All through the Bible the term "son of Belial" or "of Belial" is used. It is not talking about a real man or a location. "Belial" means "without profit, worthless, destruction, wickedness; and is synonymous with Satan." "Sheba" means "seven" which means he was completely wicked. He was instrumental in splitting Israel and Judah. Israel followed Sheba and Judah followed David.
In verse 3 we have the 10 concubines who were left to protect the house. Since I know that everything in the Bible is there for a reason, I know this is important. The king left these women in charge of the house and left. When he was gone Absalom went in and defiled them in the eyes of all Israel to prove his authority. Now that David is back he takes them and puts them in a "ward" which is a "watch; a place of dutiful charge." They stayed there forsaken till their death. I wonder if these were the New Testament virgins Jesus talked about in Matt 25:1. When Jesus left this earthly kingdom he left us in charge of his earthly house. We played the harlot just like these concubines did. Some of us repented and became virgins. We are waiting Jesus' return but the question is: Do we have plenty of oil? When Jesus came back to earth to spend some time with his disciples he told them that he was leaving again and that they were to go to Jerusalem and receive the gift he had died to give them. That gift was the Holy Spirit. It meant that Jesus's spirit would be in them and guide them and give them the power to be witnesses. This is the oil the virgins needed. Have you asked God to baptize you in his Holy Spirit. It is not an experience it is a life-style.
Sheba a man of Belial stood up and blew a trumpet to get the children of Israel to rebel against David and follow him. All through the Bible the term "son of Belial" or "of Belial" is used. It is not talking about a real man or a location. "Belial" means "without profit, worthless, destruction, wickedness; and is synonymous with Satan." "Sheba" means "seven" which means he was completely wicked. He was instrumental in splitting Israel and Judah. Israel followed Sheba and Judah followed David.
In verse 3 we have the 10 concubines who were left to protect the house. Since I know that everything in the Bible is there for a reason, I know this is important. The king left these women in charge of the house and left. When he was gone Absalom went in and defiled them in the eyes of all Israel to prove his authority. Now that David is back he takes them and puts them in a "ward" which is a "watch; a place of dutiful charge." They stayed there forsaken till their death. I wonder if these were the New Testament virgins Jesus talked about in Matt 25:1. When Jesus left this earthly kingdom he left us in charge of his earthly house. We played the harlot just like these concubines did. Some of us repented and became virgins. We are waiting Jesus' return but the question is: Do we have plenty of oil? When Jesus came back to earth to spend some time with his disciples he told them that he was leaving again and that they were to go to Jerusalem and receive the gift he had died to give them. That gift was the Holy Spirit. It meant that Jesus's spirit would be in them and guide them and give them the power to be witnesses. This is the oil the virgins needed. Have you asked God to baptize you in his Holy Spirit. It is not an experience it is a life-style.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday's Devo - On the Way to the Throne...
Read 2 Sam 19
Today we read of David's journey back to the throne. He is so sad about Absalom's death that he almost sabatoged his future. He somehow forgot all the people who risked their lives to save him and his kingdom. He was shortsighted and selfish. But, he listened to his leaders and followed their wise advice and woke up. Now was not the time to mourn but the time to lead. The people needed unity because they were very divided in their opinions and loyalty. David's speech brought the unity they needed and they all wanted the king to return. So David crosses the Jordan and comes home. He meets 4 people. The first was Shimei who had cursed him and thrown stones at him when he was leaving. Shimei begged for forgiveness and his life and got it. Then he meets Ziba who was Mephibosheth's servant who lied to David about Mephibosheth's loyalty. Next he meets Mephibosheth who has been waiting and mourning since David left. He clears his name and gets back half of his land. The last man is Barzillai. Barzillai had fed David and his men when he escaped. He tells David he is too old and wants to go back and die in his own city where his father and mother are buried. But instead he sends Chimham his young servant. I think these represent the 4 types of people that God will deal with when he comes back to set up his kingdom. Shimei stands for the one who openly cursed God. David says he can live because this is not a day of judgement. Shimei gets to live for now but is judged in Solomon's reign (See 1 Ki 2:44) The next type is Ziba who tried to win the kings loyalty by good deeds and trickery. He gets a divided portion. David saw some good in him. Mephibosheth gets to present his case and get cleared of all his guilt. He was the faithful one. Barzillai stood for the old tradition. It worked in the past but could not pass over to the new. Instead it sent a new version of itself to the other side in Chimham.
I am always reminded that God does not see men as I see them. Nothing is hid from him. He knows how to shape hearts to Him and he knows how to judge; although his judgements are very slow and he gives us multitudes of times to repent. I pray we take them.
Today we read of David's journey back to the throne. He is so sad about Absalom's death that he almost sabatoged his future. He somehow forgot all the people who risked their lives to save him and his kingdom. He was shortsighted and selfish. But, he listened to his leaders and followed their wise advice and woke up. Now was not the time to mourn but the time to lead. The people needed unity because they were very divided in their opinions and loyalty. David's speech brought the unity they needed and they all wanted the king to return. So David crosses the Jordan and comes home. He meets 4 people. The first was Shimei who had cursed him and thrown stones at him when he was leaving. Shimei begged for forgiveness and his life and got it. Then he meets Ziba who was Mephibosheth's servant who lied to David about Mephibosheth's loyalty. Next he meets Mephibosheth who has been waiting and mourning since David left. He clears his name and gets back half of his land. The last man is Barzillai. Barzillai had fed David and his men when he escaped. He tells David he is too old and wants to go back and die in his own city where his father and mother are buried. But instead he sends Chimham his young servant. I think these represent the 4 types of people that God will deal with when he comes back to set up his kingdom. Shimei stands for the one who openly cursed God. David says he can live because this is not a day of judgement. Shimei gets to live for now but is judged in Solomon's reign (See 1 Ki 2:44) The next type is Ziba who tried to win the kings loyalty by good deeds and trickery. He gets a divided portion. David saw some good in him. Mephibosheth gets to present his case and get cleared of all his guilt. He was the faithful one. Barzillai stood for the old tradition. It worked in the past but could not pass over to the new. Instead it sent a new version of itself to the other side in Chimham.
I am always reminded that God does not see men as I see them. Nothing is hid from him. He knows how to shape hearts to Him and he knows how to judge; although his judgements are very slow and he gives us multitudes of times to repent. I pray we take them.
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