Deliberations

Day 56: 1 Samuel 24–27; Jeremiah 13–18; 2 Corinthians 12–13

It is like a courtroom drama.  The closing arguments are made before the jury.  The prosecution summarizes all the evidence against the accused.  The defense counsel pleas for a not guilty verdict or for leniency.  The jury must go now and decide.

As I read today David has now a second chance to kill Saul and does not.  Instead he uses the opportunity to prove he is no real threat to the king.  If he wanted to kill Saul he could have. But he refuses to raise a hand against the Lord's anointed.  Funny how he was willing to lie to Ahimelech the priest and eat consecrated bread.  It is also funny how his anger against Nabal (the foolish descendant of revered Caleb) would have lead his to slaughter his entire household and take possession of all his property because of inhospitality.  David does not appear to be without his dark side.  He can ignore covenant keeping when the moment calls for it. 

Again, Jesus seemed to accept David's eating of the consecrated bread.  Perhaps Jesus understood Himself in similar circumstance.  The leadership of Jerusalem was against Him.  He and His men were without a place to lay their heads. Desperate times call for desperate measures?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

Saul is humbled by David's actions to spare his life and clear David's own reputation with him.  He calls for David to come home, but David knows Saul cannot be trusted.  David moves to Gath and King Achish gives him Ziklag to live in with his men and their families.  While living with the Philistines David continues to do the cleansing of the promised land as Joshua before him.  He raids Amalekites and other inhabitants who have not yet been driven from the land.  HE utterly wipes them out leaving no survivors.  So even in hiding David serves Israel his people.  He brings the booty back to Ziklag and shares with the Philistine king which keeps him in good standing.  Dead men tell no tales.  King Achish has no idea that David remains loyal to Israel.  He thinks David is raiding the Israelites.

Continue to deliberate on David's character. But let's recognize that his character is not what this conflict is about.  It is about the Lord being with David and not with Saul.  David may be cunning and deceitful at times. He may be ruthless in battle.  But so are the Babylonians who God chose to punish Judah.  Ultimately it is God's choice that matters here, not a man's blemished character.

Jeremiah too is weak in his will.  He cries out tot he Lord in anguish while imprisoned or persecuted by the rulers of Judah.

Because Your hand was [on me], I sat alone,
    for You filled me with indignation.
Why has my pain become unending,
    my wound incurable,
    refusing to be healed?
    You  (Lord) truly have become like a mirage to me—
    water that is not reliable. (Jer. 15:17b-18)

Jeremiah deliberates his case before God and in a sense brings an accusation against God for keeping silent, for not protecting him.  God responds by telling him to repent of his "worthless words" and He will restore Jeremiah (Jer. 15:19-21).

God chose Israel like a potter chooses clay to make a pot. if the pot isn't turning out right, it is cast aside and made into something else.  In the same way God chose Israel, but Israel has not chosen God.  They are not turning like the holy people He calls them to become.  So now they shall become a bowl to receive God's wrath instead of the wine of blessing.  As God lays out His appeal, the people still have time to repent and change their ways and avoid the destruction God has announced through the prophet.  Will they turn before it's too late?  Does a donkey do what it's told the first time?  Is it not known for its stubbornness?  Only with bridal and many blows does the brute come under control.

Paul continues to lay out his case before the Corinthians.  He talks of excellent revelations (mystical experiences with God), the kind that the Corinthians applaud.  But he takes greater pride in his weaknesses through which the strength of Christ shines.  Paul has a thorn in his side, a messenger of Satan. He asked the Lord three times to remove it, but God said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for [My] power is perfected in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9)." 

We don't know the specific nature of Paul's weakness.  We just know he struggled with is, but God wanted him to learn to lean on His grace instead of being freed of the thorny sting.  Paul would have the Corinthians understand his humility before God and his love for them.  He tries to win them over in his closing. 

"I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for you (2 Cor. 12:14-15)."

He asks them to consider the evidence.  Has he taken advantage of them?  Has he tricked them? Has not everything he has done and said been for their benefit and the glory of God?  He intends only to build them up, not tear them down.  But Christ will not be denied by the church that bears His name.  Paul will come in the power of Christ and deal harshly with the unrepentant if necessary.  He hopes it doesn't come to that if they will only heed his letter (2 Cor. 13:10).

These books are collected in what we Christians call the Holy Bible.  These words are canonized, not to be tampered with, added to or taken away from, but heeded as we would the voice of God (Rev 22:18-19). 

We have witnessed the prosecution and the defense in their deliberations.  What will we each decide?