1 Samuel Series Wk 20 - “Applying God’s Wisdom”

  There’s a saying that goes, “A smart person knows what to say; a wise person knows when to say it.” In marriage, you could say it like this, “A new husband knows what to say; a seasoned husband knows when to say it.”

The topic of wisdom in the Bible takes up about 1/3 of the Old Testament content. Godly wisdom is knowledge + experience honed by God’s direction, applied to our lives. And today, we’re going to see godly wisdom, in action. 

Let’s jump back into First Samuel chapter 25, verse 1, as today we have three chapters to cover. As we open up to First Samuel 25:1, lets quickly review the past several weeks. 

We were introduced to David, as a person who eagerly wanted to follow God, who carried God’s peace to others, who exercised confident faith, and who loved those that sought to hurt him. We saw how these characteristics that David had, is why God called him to be king and what God calls us to as well.

Then we saw how Saul continued his descent into sin and we talked about how we need to be able to recognize when we are on our own descent into sin and we need those around us that will call us back to God when they see that spiral . 

Following that, we saw the cracks in David’s own faith as he engaged in sin when his lie lead to the death of an entire town, and he did not trust God to protect him as he acted like a madman in front of the Philistines to save his life. Yet, the difference between Saul and David comes down to how David recognized and took ownership of his sin; Saul never did such a thing. And so we saw how God calls us to recognize our faults and be humble in accepting our part in sin.

Then we saw how it’s easy for us to allow the pressures around us to dictate our actions. Yet what we saw in David’s life is that he sought God because he knew God knows what happens when we choose to go a certain way. But what we learned was that God not only knows what will happen, he also knows what could happen if we were given different circumstances. So we talked about how we need to trust God because he knows the outcomes, and therefore we need to let him guide us through the pressures of this life.

Finally, last week, we looked at the situation of David having the opportunity to take Saul’s life. Yet David didn’t because he did not feel like God had given him the right to do it. In that moment, we saw how, it is God’s prerogative to take vengeance and bring about justice. And we need to put ourselves in a place where we allow that to happen, so that we can love as Jesus calls us to love. 

With that in our minds, we can now turn back to our study in First Samuel as we start reading in verse 1 of chapter 25. Now as we get into First Samuel 25:1, we need to recognize that the thought of the Scripture spans from chapter 23 all the way through chapter 27. So we’re going to look at three chapters today, as we make our way through 25, 26, and 27.

Let’s begin to read in chapter 25:1

25:1 Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah.

Let’s stop right there. Samuel’s death is merely mentioned in the course of the events we’re following. It is not as important for the bigger thought that Scripture is focused on, but his death needs to be understood for chapter 28, which we will come to next week. 

Let’s keep reading.

Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. 2 And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3 Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite. 4 David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. 5 So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. 6 And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. 7 I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. 8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.’”

9 When David's young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. 10 And Nabal answered David's servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. 11 Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” 12 So David's young men turned away and came back and told him all this. 13 And David said to his men, “Every man strap on his sword!” And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage.

Let’s stop there. In this situation we might think that David is overreacting, and as we’ll see he is. However, in the culture there is an expectation to receive visitors and to help those who have helped you. Nabal has rejected both customs in this moment and so David seeks to take his revenge on the insult.

It is here that we have another moment where we see a break in David’s faith. We just saw him realize that it was God’s duty to take vengeance on his enemies, yet David detaches that theological epiphany from other circumstance, and only applies it to one, Saul. There’s is no mention of God in this passage, instead David is acting out of his own desire, rather than the will of God.

This will be brought up in a few paragraphs. Let’s keep reading. 

14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he railed at them. 15 Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them. 16 They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. 17 Now therefore know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.”

Let’s stop, there’s that word again, worthless. Nabal is a worthless man. He is a man seeking, not after the things of God, but after the things of Satan. So this gives credibility to David taking him out. However, there are others to be considered here. It’s not just Nabal, but his family and servants who are at risk. And here’s the reality, sometimes the sin of others puts the people around them at risk of their repercussions. 

Yet, Abigail, the wife of Nabal is willing to take action to protect, everyone, even her worthless husband. Verses 18-23 tell us that she gathers a large assortment of goods to offer David to apologize for her husband’s sinful actions, but without Nabal’s knowledge.

Dropping down to verse 24, we keep reading. 

24 She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant. 25 Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent. 26 Now then, my lord, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, because the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be as Nabal. 

27 And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord. 28 Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live. 29 If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God. And the lives of your enemies he shall sling out as from the hollow of a sling. 30 And when the Lord has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you and has appointed you prince over Israel, 31 my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself. And when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.”

We see in verse 26, that Abigail appeals to David because she knows that he is someone who is not out to get vengeance. It’s here that she references his sparing Saul’s life, which was news that probably spread pretty quickly throughout the area.

She then follows this up by reminding David of several things: First, that God is establishing David’s house. Everywhere David goes, God uses people to remind him that he will be established as king over Israel. This is a greater encouragement because David’s been out on the run for a long time now. Second, this is done because David fights the Lord’s battles. David usually seeks God as he moves, yet in this moment he has not sought the Lord in what he should do. This is a reminder that David is acting in his own purposes, rather than in the purposes of God. Thirdly, Abigail reminds David that God holds tight those who honor him, but flings his enemies away like a stone in a sling. This is a reference to David’s battle with Goliath. Abigail is reminding David that God honors David because he seeks after God’s will, but make no mistake, God also will punish David when he goes outside of that will. The fourth reminder is that David will be a prince under God and king over Israel. It’s a reminder that God is the ultimate king and David is his under-king. God leads and David is to follow. The question hangs in the air, “David are you trying to be the king instead of God?” Finally, Abigail concludes with a statement to look pass the now and think about how David will view this moment after he becomes king. Her implication is that he shouldn’t want to look back at his ascent to the throne and have grief that he shed the blood of the innocent in an act of vengeance. 

Verse 32-39 let us know that Abigail’s appeal works and David praises her. He takes her offering and her council and leaves.

This leads to a confrontation between Nabal and Abigail about the whole situation. Following this, Nabal dies a week and a half later. In this we see that God was going to bring judgment upon Nabal, and if David would have taken it, he would have gotten himself into a bad place in his faith. 

The chapter ends with David reaching out to Abigail and asking her to be his wife. David can do this because his own wife was given away by Saul to another man, and Abigail’s husband has died. And, as far as all the women that we have seen in David’s life, Abigail seems to be the best choice for a wife. 

Yet, we’re also told in verse 43, “David also took Ahinoam (A-hin-o-om) of Jezreel, and both of them became his wives.”

Well shoot David, you almost had it good. It’s seems so out of place, but out of the blue, David takes another wife alongside Abigail. This isn’t good, because the cracks in David’s faith are multiplying. First, he lied which led to the inhabitants of a town being killed. Then he acted like a madman in front of a Philistine king, to save himself instead of letting God do it. After that, he sought vengeance against Nabal, and had to be talked down. Now, David is multiplying wives. Taking Abigail as a wife makes sense. His first wife Michal was given away to another, so he’s basically free from that commitment, and Abigail is a good catch, beautiful and wise. So why does he take Ahinoam (A-hin-o-om)? 

I joked with my wife that she must have been really pretty. Abigail had the brains, and the godliness and what does Ahinoam have? Trouble, as we’ll eventually see, and that usually comes in the form of a beautiful women.

In this moment, David is breaking God’s command to Israel’s kings. In Deuteronomy 17:17 kings are told, “And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away …”

David’s not doing well as he continues to slowly stray from the path of God. It’s here though that we get a second opportunity for David to take Saul’s life.

Chapter 26, the Ziphites are back and they let Saul know where David is, just like Saul wanted them to do. And even though David has show Saul no hostility, even sparring his life, Saul still is hell bent on killing David. 

So the whole of the situation plays out very similar to the first time David spared Saul’s life. Saul comes down, except this time David and another are able to sneak into Saul’s camp while he’s sleeping. This time, instead of taking a piece of his clothing, he takes Saul’s spear and water jug to show that he had the means to kill the king while he slept. 

A similar exchange of words happens between David and Saul, except this time, in verse 21, Saul’s words ring hollow. He again believes he has sinned, but simply acknowledging our sin is not what God wants. God desires repentance, which is acknowledgement and turning away from that sin. 

Saul keeps doing the same thing again and again, he’s not going to change. And once Saul leaves, we’re told this in chapter 27:1, “Then David said in his heart, ‘Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.” 

David sees that Saul isn’t going to change, that the small glimpses of acknowledgment of sin are not lasting, so he takes off to the land of the Philistines where another crack in his faith occurs. 

We’re told that he is allowed by Achish, king of Gath, to move his entire family to the city. From there and eventually, a new city, David begins raiding parties on the Canaanite people. He doesn’t leave anyone alive when he attacks these settlements and when asked about it, David tells Achish that he is attacking Israelite encampments. And the chapter ends with David doing well in the land of the Philistines, and Achish thinking David has turned on the Israelite people. 

However, I want us to recognize that nowhere in the last three chapters has anyone sought the Lord. Nabal didn’t when David asked for help. David didn’t when he sought to kill Nabal. Saul didn’t when he again tried to kill David. And David didn’t when he escaped to Gath, and began raiding the Canaanites and lying about it. Also, just to add a little to this whole situation, in verse 3 of chapter 27, Abigail has been regulated to second in importance as she is named after Ahinoam ( A-hin-o-om). 

Throughout these three chapters we see how quickly and prevalently sin can spread. Every man, whether it be Nabal, David, or Saul is shown to be in the wrong. They each, in their own way, have sinned. They have sinned in not speaking with God, and they have sinned in following their own desires. 

Yet through it all, Abigail is held up as a righteous voice among the sin. She stands up against her husband’s folly, and she pleads with David for mercy. It’s her desire for mercy that seems to influence David from carrying out his second opportunity to kill Saul. And within these three chapters, she is the only one who acts in righteousness, whereas everyone else doesn’t.

And it’s on the path of the likes of Abigail that God is calling to walk. To be those who are willing to put our lives on the line, even when sinful people are doing sinful things. She stood up to Nabal which could have gotten her killed, and she stood up against David, which could have gotten her killed. Yet she stood for righteousness and goes down as one of the best examples of applying godly wisdom to a tense situation.

It’s in her example that we see God’s call to us in applying his wisdom to the various situations that come up. This is why it’s important to understand the wisdom literature of the Bible. There are three streams of thought in the Old Testament: Law, Prophetic, and Wisdom. Books like Proverbs challenge us to turn away from sin and embrace godly wisdom. My challenge to you this week, is to walk in the wisdom of God and apply his wisdom to the situations you encounter. To aid in this, take some time and read chapter six of Proverbs. It covers a multitude of challenges that come up in our lives ans gives encouragement to avoid sin. 

Let us be a people of God who are not merely saying we follow God, but who apply his wisdom to our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

1 Samuel Series Wk 19 - “Standing Firm in God’s Will”

  Just over a week and a half ago our nation was rocked by the assignation of Charlie Kirk as he was speaking at a university in Utah. Today, September 21st, his memorial is being held here in Arizona. 

I will admit that not only is the assignation shocking, but I am personally angry about it. Kirk was only thirty-one years old and he engaged in a lot of what our society says are controversial topics. However, the topics, prior to the 1960s were not controversial. The stances he took were commonly held stances of Christians going back 2,000 years. The topic of abortion, the Church has been consistent that it is wrong since its founding. The topic of sex reserved for one man and one woman, has been a consistent stance of the Church since the first century. The other topics he covered such as transgenderism, economics, civil debate all stem from biblical principles. And though he did not always argue his points from the Bible, his points were rooted in his biblical worldview. 

You might have heard that he has said some things like he doesn’t like empathy, or that gays should be stoned, but the quotes that are being spread are either cut up and misrepresenting what he said, or flat out made up. If I’m not careful, my anger over the situation will overwhelm the need to address not only his assignation, but our response as Christians. So it is fitting that our passage in First Samuel is what it is today. 

I want to return to Charlie Kirk’s assignation at the end, but for now let us turn to our passage, in the book of First Samuel, where we’ll be picking it back up in chapter 23, starting in verse 15. As we open up to First Samuel 23:15, let’s refresh our memories about where we are in the series.

By way of David’s introduction we learned several things about him and how God wants us to walk in faith. We learned through David that God desires his people to eagerly follow him. God also desire that we be carriers of his peace to the world around us. David also shows us that God wants us to walk in confident faith of what God can do. And God wants us to love people even when they’re out to get us. 

From David, we switched to Saul and we saw how he continued to descend into sin. From Saul we talked about how we need to be on our guard in recognizing our own descent into sin and to surround ourselves with people that will direct us back to God. 

Then we saw the first cracks in David’s faith as he ran from Saul. However, we also saw how David took responsibility for his actions. From him, we talked about how we are to judge out situations rightly, seeing our fault and acting in humility. 

Finally, two weeks ago, we got an insight into how God sees not only what will happen but the possibilities of what could happen if we are given different situations to work in. This led us to understand that no matter what the pressures around us are, God knows all the outcomes and so we need to trust him as he guides us. This will be important for the next part of our reading as we jump into First Samuel 23:15-24:22. Let’s start reading together. 

23:15 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. 16 And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” 18 And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.

v. 23:15-18

Let’s stop here for a moment. In these four verses we see a couple of important realities. First, Jonathan recognizes that because of all that God has done through David, the defeat of Goliath, the military victories, evading Saul, helping out cities even though he’s not the king, David will be the king of Israel some day. 

Jonathan recognizes this and in an example of someone choosing to follow the will of God rather than what would bring them more earthly glory, Jonathan submits himself to David’s rule. Jonathan, not David is the rightful ruler in the line of a dynastic family, however, Jonathan sees God’s plan and would rather embrace it than seek after his own inheritance. In Jonathan, Jesus’ words from Matthew 6:33 ring out, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

We also get an insight into Saul from Jonathan. Not only does Jonathan recognize the God has chosen David to be king, but Saul also recognizes this. However, whereas Jonathan has accepted the will of God, Saul is blinded by his own sin which causes him to not submit to God’s plan. This is why Saul fights against David, because he is fighting for himself. 

v.19-29 (summarize but not read)

The passage then moves from this encounter to a people group called the Ziphites. Summarizing their story, we just need to know that they contacted Saul to tell him where David was. This is meant to help us see the contrast between Jonathan and others. There are people who desire to follow God in Israel, and there are those that do not. And we see that reality play out time and time again throughout the Scriptures and human history.

The passage let’s us know that Saul does come down after David, but then has to call off his pursuit because the Philistines are attacking. Due to Saul’s inaction against the Philistines at the beginning of the chapter, which led David to stepping into the kingly role to help a city, Saul does leave his purist of David for now.

This shows God’s protection of David in which he uses the greater circumstances of the world to accomplish his saving work.

It’s here that we pick the passage back up in chapter 24:1, where we’ll read through the whole chapter. 

24:1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks. 3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 5 And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.

8 Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. 9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. 12 May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! 15 May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”

16 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house.” 22 And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

v.24:1-22

David is handed the perfect opportunity to end this whole situation with Saul. However, David chooses not to kill Saul for the reason that God had anointed Saul to be king. David, though he too was anointed as king and would have the right to kill Saul, choose not to in a show of grace. This is a monumental moment and calls back to the what we learned earlier about David, where he was a carrier of peace and sought to love those around him.

When confronting Saul, David shows his love for the king when he refers to him as his father (v.11). This reveals that even after all that Saul had put David through, David still cared for him. Recognizing that David doesn’t just see Saul as a king, but as a part of his family.

David then shares a proverb “Out of the wicked comes wickedness (v.13)” which is similar to Jesus’ words in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” David is pitting his righteous care for Saul against the wickedness of those who were influencing Saul and Saul himself. From within David, he desires God and the best for Saul. From within Saul, his desire is for himself. David desires God’s righteousness and so acts in righteousness, but Saul is out for himself and so acts in the wickedness which that desire produces. 

It’s in this moment that Saul has the realization that David could have killed him. Saul’s response is telling. First, Saul calls David his son and weeps (v.16). David has treated Saul as a family member and not as an enemy on multiple occasions. Next, Saul calls David righteous and admits his own wickedness (v.17). In a moment of clarity, Saul sees the truth: David has done good, while he has done evil. Following this, Saul recognizes that God had given Saul’s life to David, yet David did not take the opportunity (v.18-19). Most people might say that David should have just ended it there, but David isn’t seeking the throne of Israel, he’s seeking God. David’s conviction to love Saul pushes him to reject the idea that it is his place to take Saul’s life. It’s because of this that we get this monumental moment in verse 20. The passage ends with Saul declaring that David will be king, and so Saul asked that David would continue to act mercifully with Saul’s family, to which David agreed. 

We might think, that’s the end. Saul and David have come to an agreement, that’s the end of that. But, like most situations where sin is running rampant in peoples’ lives, this isn’t the end. We have eight more chapters to see how sin continues to effect the lives of both Saul and David going forward.

As we walk away from the passage we can put the assignation of Charlie Kirk into a biblical perceptive. I’m angry that his life was taken. Though many people disagreed with his stances, I am not one of them. He held to a biblical worldview, and more often than not, cordially engaged in debate with people that were extremely hostile. 

I am angry because his life was taken because of his beliefs, which are accused of being extreme, but have been relatively standard throughout the last two thousand years. And because some did not like those beliefs, they thought it justified to take a husband and father away from his children.

I am angry because his life was taken and the responses from some have been horrific. The vast majority of people of have rightly responded with grief, yet there are those that fain empathy but then add to their rejection of the act with justification for it. These try to mask their agreement that Kirk deserved to die, by trying to first acting as if it was bad then adding a “but” to their comments. Then there are others that are flat out celebrating his death. These people are rightfully being rejected by society, with people like Jimmy Kimmel losing their platforms for making light of the situation. 

I am angry because the love of many towards each other is growing colder and colder and will eventually lead us into a place that few want to go, but we'll inevitably have to see. There will be many more Charlie Kirks, both in stepping up to stand for biblical beliefs, but also those who will be killed for those beliefs. There will be many more fathers and mothers who will leave children behind because biblical words and ideas that have been held for thousands of years are being rejected by those who would rather delve deeper into debauchery than hear truth.

Sin will continue to multiple, tensions will rise, and violence will be the end result. And honestly, there’s a part of me that wants to step into the violence. To take the gloves off and bring all of my anger down on those that would justify this or any assassination over ideas. 

Then I read David’s dealing with Saul, and I am again reminded of God’s words in Deuteronomy 32:35, “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’”

I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:38-48, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 

I am also reminded of Paul’s words in Romans 12:17-19, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”

These words do not quell the anger I feel, but they put into perspective my duty as a Christ follower. They point me back to the Lord and off the circumstance. Yes there should be justice, but there is a greater need here. There is a need to more boldly proclaim, with word and deed, the salvation of Jesus. Those who act in celebration and justify this assignation are lost now, and will be lost for eternity if they do not repent and turn to Jesus. 

These are those whom Christ died on the cross for. These are like those who Christ said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)” We who call ourselves Christians, who say we follow the Risen Jesus who took away the sin of the world, and now accepts anyone who places their trust into him and him alone, we are called by the Lord to love the unlovable, to forgive the unforgivable, and to lay down our lives that others may know him.

This is the hard part of the Christian faith, to respond to hatred with love, and wrath with grace. For each one that does not repent of their sins will find that in the end, their sin has drawn them into a pit of eternal anguish. So let us be those who repay evil with good, that we might honor the God who saved us from our sin.

This week I want to challenge you with a challenge that I was reminded of by a question that Charlie Kirk was asked just a few months ago, “How do you want to be remembered … If everything goes away, if you could be associated with one thing, how would you want to be remembered?

Kirk’s answer was, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing.”

Is your faith how people will remember you? That you stood for biblical truth, pointing others back to Jesus for salvation, and being gracious while doing it? I believe Charlie Kirk achieved what he wanted to be remembered for, and it’s a challenge for any of us who trust in Jesus as Savior.

So let us be a people who stand strong in the Lord, never backing down from the faith that was secured for us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and through him showing his grace to the world around us. Amen.

“Day of the Lord” An Examination of Zephaniah Chapters 12-14

 Introduction

The Lord stands on the Mount of Olives on the day of battle on the day of the Lord (Zech. 14:3-4). There will be darkness, and men will flee as if being chased by a lion on the day of the Lord (Amos 5:18-19). There will be blood, fires, pillars of smoke, and the moon will be like blood on that day of the Lord (Joe 2:30-31). These are three of the many instances throughout the Scriptures where “the day of the Lord” language is used to communicate the coming of divine judgment. It is this language that the prophet Zephaniah uses to communicate God’s coming judgment in his day (Zeph. 1:7).

The Day of the Lord: Original Audience

As Robert B. Chisholm Jr. notes, the day of the Lord in Zephaniah’s day covers the conquest of Judah by the Babylonians and a worldwide judgment. J. J. M. Roberts connects Zephaniah’s understanding of the day of the Lord to the prophets Amos and Isaiah. This understanding sees the coming judgment as a way for God to refine Jerusalem. Roberts also sees that this transformation of Jerusalem follows the prophet Isaiah in that both prophets proclaim judgment on the ruling classes of the city. Coupled with this judgment, Isaiah and Zephaniah point to God’s ultimate goal to bring about a humble and righteous remnant who will rejoice in the Lord. 

To the first hearers and later readers, the urgency builds as the prophet looks to the day of the Lord, as S.D. Snyman points out. The language of the day of the Lord begins in verse 7 of chapter 1, and by verse 14, the word “great” is added, increasing the significance of this particular judgment of God. The mere sound of that “great day” will be “bitter” to those who hear it. The six phrases that follow in verses 15-16 added to the urgency of that “great day,” with a point being made that no one will be able to escape it. The universal reach of that “great day” can not be missed as it bookends God’s judgment (v.1:2, 18); Judah’s judgment will be complete and long-lasting. 

The Day of the Lord: Hope and Restoration

However, not all is lost; there is a glimmer of hope. Zephaniah calls the people to prepare for the day of the Lord (v.2:3). The people do this by seeking the Lord and being humble. Even then, as David Gunn notes, there is no guaranteed rescue from God, “… only the possibility.” To the first hearers, this is a small ray of light in the darkness that lies ahead; yet it is still hope. The hope continues even through the judgment of the nations. It is “the remnant” who will see the nations brought to justice and who will receive the possession of God’s enemies (v.2:9).

Possessions are not the only things that will come out of the nations’ judgment. False gods and idols will “famish (v.211, [ESV]).” They will be made emaciated to the point where they will no longer exist. Instead, there will only be the worship of the Lord throughout the whole world. The hope that rests ahead of those who turn back to the Lord is that not only will they receive the spoils of the nations, but God will receive the worship that is due him.

The Day of the Lord: Relevance and Application for Today

As VanGemeren rightfully notes, the Israelites would see some fulfillment in the Jewish Diaspora, as there would be God-fearers from the Gentile nations. However, a greater fulfillment in the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Yet, the complete fulfillment is left to the return of Christ. The New Testament picks up “the day of the Lord” concept and applies it to the bodily return of Jesus, which will come swiftly as a thief (2 Pet. 3:10-11). On that day of the Lord, the heavens will pass away, heavenly bodies will dissolve, and the works done on earth will be exposed. Therefore, Peter calls the disciples of Christ to live holy and godly lives. Jesus’ disciples are to wait for the day, and hasten it by preaching the Gospel (v.11-12).

Therefore, every believer, until the day when the Lord returns, is commissioned to be about the Father’s business. They are to preach Christ’s work on the cross, and proclaim that there is still time to repent and be saved. For God “… is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)” Hope his still available for those who would receive it, yet that time is running out as the world moves closer to the final day of the Lord. On that day, which will come swifter than expected, there will no longer be an opportunity to turn to the Lord, for he will separate the goats and the sheep (Matt. 25:32-33)—one to destruction and one to everlasting life. 

Conclusion

The day of the Lord is not something that will be a joyous time for everyone. For the believer, it is a day in which the Lord will come and set all things right. They will see the one whom they have trusted and rejoice as they enter into his eternal life. Yet for those who do not know the Lord, it will be a day of wailing. They will enter into everlasting punishment, having all that was good ripped away form them as payment for their sin (Rom. 6:23). Therefore, the day of the Lord should be a clarion call to every disciple of Christ not to let the preaching of the Gospel fall to the wayside, but fulfill Christ’s commission until the Lord returns.

Bibliography

Chisholm Jr., Robert B. Handbook on the Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Minor Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Gunn, David, John W. Rogerson, and Anthony Gelston. Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible: Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2019.

Roberts, J. J. M. Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: A Commentary. Louisville, KY: Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, 1991.

Snyman, S.D. Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah: An Introduction and Commentary. Lisle, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2020.

VanGemeren, Willem A. “Zephaniah,” In The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, edited by Gary M. Burge, and Andrew E. Hill, 891-901. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012.