Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

As a high schooler, I was among those who carefully boxed up and moved all the hymn and gospel song books, educational materials, piano, dishes, Bibles, communion plates, bowls for feet washing, and all other items from the old building to our beautiful, newly built church building in another location.  All those items for teaching the Word of God built on the promises of God, became holy when used for the worship of God.  Memories of souls saved in the old building flooded the hearts of those who remembered meeting God there in their beginning of their walk with God.  Now it was time for new beginnings with the same God who still requires us to be holy as he is holy.  The same rules apply as we revere God with awe with a healthy fear-filled respect that comes from knowing how great our God is with respect for His tools of ministry.

David, who is now King, decides the Ark of the Covenant, holy unto God which represented God and symbolized all that God had done for His people, should be moved closer to where he now lives as King of Israel.  The Ark of the Covenant had items that represented the promises of God to His people.  The Ark was holy unto God. God gave them specific rules concerning the Ark of the Covenant given to them through Moses. The rules still applied when trying to move the Ark in David’s times.

The One thing we can rely on when we put our all our trust in God. His love, ways, and commands are the same and do not change. God is holy and we must be holy before Him.  In a world where each day we wake to new changes and rules of behaviors by our government, social groups, and among our friends and even our families; God is constant and unchanging in His love and care for us.  Comfort and peace abides in knowing that God does not change.

God’s commands signify His love and amplify His perfect holiness. David will learn quickly exactly how important this is this truth about God. Have we learned the depth of holiness of our perfect God?  Our behaviors will reflect the depth of awe we have of God whether inside the church building, among friends after leaving our worship of God, at home or in the workplace during the week.  God is Holy and that never changes.

1 Chronicles 13

Bringing Back the Ark

David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. ² He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. ³ Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” ⁴ The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.

⁵ So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. ⁶ David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.

⁷ They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. ⁸ David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.

⁹ When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. ¹⁰ The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

¹¹ Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.

¹² David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” ¹³ He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. ¹⁴ The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

David was honest before God in his own anger.  He didn’t think God’s actions toward a man simply trying to keep the Ark for sliding off the cart should lead to Uzzah’s death but he didn’t follow the holy rules for carrying the Ark that was holy unto God.  It seemed unfair and unjust to David who assigned this task to Uzzah.  Maybe this jolted our thinking as we read it, too! Rules are given with a purpose by God. 

Consider this:  God had given specific instructions concerning the sacred objects (see Numbers 4:15). God said he would put to death anyone who touched the ark.  There it is—in black and white. Here is something to consider; David became angry at God, but was his anger justified?  It was David’s own neglect that brought God’s severe action. Could David’s ego, “I want the Ark to be where I am,” a bit too much for God?

When we don’t agree with the One who calls the shots, our reaction is often the same as David’s—anger, bitterness, with instant words of “that’s not fair, God!” But David’s heart quickly calmed as he remembers his real intent was to honor God.

Warren Wiersbe writes;

“According to the writer of Chronicles, David appears to move the ark to Jerusalem as the first order of business, but 2 Samuel describes a lot of building that went on before David decided to bring the ark to the capital city. The Chronicler was intent on showing David’s actions in relation to God and His eventual temple in Jerusalem. Not only did this move consolidate the spiritual and governmental center of the nation, it also indicated that David wanted to send the message that Israel would no longer neglect the things of God.” –Wiersbe Study Bible

“Certainly the death of Uzza was a tragic event, but it underscores the history of care that had always been connected with the ark. In their haste to bring the ark to Jerusalem, people were recruited to help who may not have been Levites. Good intentions are not an excuse for ignoring clear instructions. The handling of the ark was a divine assignment for the tribe of Levi (see Numbers 4:1–20). No evidence is given that Abinadab was a Levite or that his sons Uzza and Ahio were even qualified to be near the ark, let alone touch it.” –Wiersbe Study Bible

Our response today—Do not ignore or set aside God’s Word for good intentions.

Seek first God and His Will in all the details of our lives that He enjoys giving His voice to with discernment and wisdom!  We should not ignore the clear teaching of Scripture regarding the church, the world, and the mission of those who claim to follow Jesus. Adding on churchy rules to please ourselves or with the intention we think are good to seduce others to come to “our church” is not pleasing to God.  Be honest before God and the people of the world in need of a Savior for it is Truth they seek!

Inventing ungodly (unscriptural) standards and then following them “religiously” flies in the face of God’s insistence that He will not change His mind about what He wants us to believe and the way He wants His people to live.

The Apostle Paul compassionately writes from his jail cell to the church, inspired by God’s Holy Spirit;

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:1-6 (read the whole book to get the bigger picture!)

Manmade rules that divide the church and lead to behaviors of exclusion are probably not of God.

Lord,

This was a tough lesson to sort through but we have done our best to hear you.  May all that we think, say and do be refined first by your Holy Spirit.  Help us to think before we speak with words that are on your mind. Thank you for saving our souls and redeeming us for life eternal with you!

In Jesus Name, Amen

There is a plethora of books, archived magazine articles, along with online sound bites on social media on how to be a great leader.  Most are written and published by great leaders who have been given a platform after their successes to tell us how they got there only after proving themselves to be great by the world around them.  Yes, that was along sentence.  Seriously, though, isn’t that what we look for first in a leader—a person who has already succeeded?

Who isn’t curious to know how they did what you are trying to do now as a leader? I confess; I was and I still am a questioner.  I question, not to criticize, but to relentlessly glean from those I trust. In my interviewing, I am seeking to learn. My questions are intended to go beyond what we see on the surface of a leader’s persona of success to discover their deeper motives, true feelings, asking about their past history that brought them to where they are now as revered, trustworthy leaders who others listen to and follow. 

David is one of those leaders who I would have loved to sit down and interview.  Wouldn’t you? The chronicles of his life show why God chose him to be the next king.  God knew the boy, David, sent by his father to do the lowliest job of all in the family—tend the sheep.  He was the youngest male, not worthy of much else, until God decided otherwise.  God saw and knew his heart.  As David cared for the sheep; he would sing songs of praise to His Shepherd who watched over him with power and might. 

Though chosen, anointed, and set apart from among David’s older brothers to be king; the pathway to the throne would not be easy.  Over the years, of gathering knowledge from leaders in various parts of the world, leaders who were considered trusted and revered, one characteristic stood out—they walked humbly with God. But they became humbled by God through past difficulties in their lives.  Those humbled by past sufferings learned to fully rely on God to walk with them through the challenging times. It was those humbly experiences that drew them closer to God. They become more and more equipped by God as men and women who served rather than seeking to be served. They had a heightened awareness of others’ needs with empathy and compassion. 

Godly leaders successfully recognize and realize more quickly than others the plight and needs of others and come to their aid with real help because they, too have suffered and know where their help came from—God! They also know what anxious fear feels like and can share from the heart the One and Only who can relieve fear and anxious thoughts!  

To walk humbly with God is what the prophet Micah says God requires of all of us.  Suffering leads us to walk humbly with God. Perseverance through suffering leads us to strong, relentless faith in God. (James 1) The resulting outcome:  Godly leaders trust and obey God with all that is within them without thinking how it will benefit them but as the way to love God back for all He has done for them (and us).  The person who seeks justice for others in God’s view of life, who loves His mercy and is merciful to others seem to be prerequisites for walking humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)

God notices humility and opposes the proud.  God sees the heart of those who are undivided in loyalty and of one mind, committed fully to Him and supports them. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

People notice the one who pursues God and are attracted to leaders who know God and follow what He says. Most people are distracted to arrogant, know-it-alls, who live only for themselves and demand self-glorification. (James 4:6)

1 Chronicles 12

Warriors Join David

These were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the warriors who helped him in battle; ² they were armed with bows and were able to shoot arrows or to sling stones right-handed or left-handed; they were relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin):

³ Ahiezer their chief and Joash the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Berakah, Jehu the Anathothite, ⁴ and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty warrior among the Thirty, who was a leader of the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, ⁵ Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah and Shephatiah the Haruphite; ⁶ Elkanah, Ishiah, Azarel, Joezer and Jashobeam the Korahites; ⁷ and Joelah and Zebadiah the sons of Jeroham from Gedor.

⁸ Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains.

⁹ Ezer was the chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third, ¹⁰ Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, ¹¹ Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, ¹² Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, ¹³ Jeremiah the tenth and Makbannai the eleventh.

¹⁴ These Gadites were army commanders; the least was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand. ¹⁵ It was they who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight everyone living in the valleys, to the east and to the west.

¹⁶ Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold. ¹⁷ David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, I am ready for you to join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our ancestors see it and judge you.”

¹⁸ Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said:

“We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse!
Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.”

So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.

¹⁹ Some of the tribe of Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (He and his men did not help the Philistines because, after consultation, their rulers sent him away. They said, “It will cost us our heads if he deserts to his master Saul.”) ²⁰ When David went to Ziklag, these were the men of Manasseh who defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, leaders of units of a thousand in Manasseh. ²¹ They helped David against raiding bands, for all of them were brave warriors, and they were commanders in his army. ²² Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.

Others Join David at Hebron

²³ These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, as the Lord had said:

²⁴ from Judah, carrying shield and spear—6,800 armed for battle;

²⁵ from Simeon, warriors ready for battle—7,100;

²⁶ from Levi—4,600, ²⁷ including Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, with 3,700 men, ²⁸ and Zadok, a brave young warrior, with 22 officers from his family;

²⁹ from Benjamin, Saul’s tribe—3,000, most of whom had remained loyal to Saul’s house until then;

³⁰ from Ephraim, brave warriors, famous in their own clans—20,800;

³¹ from half the tribe of Manasseh, designated by name to come and make David king—18,000;

³² from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;

³³ from Zebulun, experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapon, to help David with undivided loyalty—50,000;

³⁴ from Naphtali—1,000 officers, together with 37,000 men carrying shields and spears;

³⁵ from Dan, ready for battle—28,600;

³⁶ from Asher, experienced soldiers prepared for battle—40,000;

³⁷ and from east of the Jordan, from Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, armed with every type of weapon—120,000.

³⁸ All these were fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks. They came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of the Israelites were also of one mind to make David king. ³⁹ The men spent three days there with David, eating and drinking, for their families had supplied provisions for them. ⁴⁰ Also, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. There were plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, olive oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy in Israel.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The Holy Spirit of God makes all the difference!

One of the distinct differences between God’s dealings with people during Old Testament times and New Testament times has to do with the work of the Holy Spirit. In this passage of David’s life as a new leader; we read how God’s Spirit coming on Amasai to bless David and declare the allegiance of the thirty elite warriors. God moved in the lives of particular people to carry out detailed, specific actions knowing David would trust and obey Him!       

We can rely on God’s Holy Spirit to make a difference always!

As believers in Jesus; we can expect and rely on God’s Holy Spirit’s presence at the exact point of saying yes to Jesus! (1 Corinthians 12–14). Today, God’s Spirit continues His intimate work in us, enabling all by His power working in us to live abundantly and free as redeemed people (Romans 8:2) as we spread the gospel (Acts 1:8) of Jesus Christ!

God guides; God provides.  God gives exactly what we need when we need it most. God did it for David and He still does it for us! Trust and obey for there’s no other way—to walk humbly with our God.

Lord,

Thank you for the chronicled facts of the lives you led to accomplish your will and purposes then—leading to the coming of our King Jesus!  There is no one like our God!  You are Sovereign. You are Savior, Protector, Provider, Healer, Counselor and You are the peace we seek and the love we cherish. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

To you be the glory, honor, and praise forevermore!

In Jesus Name, Amen

If you are reading and studying along with us; you might be wondering what the word chronicle means. I looked it up for us. The simple definition has been provided so the word, chornicle, does not get in the way of our understanding of God’s Word for us today.  A chronicle record is a factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence.  It is not an analysis or interpretation of those events but merely a historical record of account arranged in chronological order of the time and occurrences. A later example would be reading a chronicle of the Civil War that took place in our country.  Those who stood out above the rest because of their acts of bravery that changed the outcome of their nation are typically listed.

Now we come to the chronicle summary of King David’s reign, the shepherd boy who became King of Israel because he was known as a “man who ran after the heart of God.”  David had to fight a lot of battles even after the fall of King Saul before becoming God’s newly appointed King and taking the throne. 

It is good to note that Our King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus, our Savior will be born to Mary and Joseph who both born in the hereditary line of David. It was foretold that the Messiah would come from the “line of King David.” Chronicles of the wars, battles, thrones of great men and women who ruled for a time, riches given and taken, along with all manmade kingdoms will all pass away when Jesus comes back to claim His own as the Kingdom of God forever.  Hold that thought as we read.

1 Chronicles 11

David Becomes King Over Israel

All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. ² In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”

³ When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

David Conquers Jerusalem

⁴ David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites who lived there ⁵ said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.

⁶ David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief.” Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command.

⁷ David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. ⁸ He built up the city around it, from the terraces to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. ⁹ And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him.

David’s Mighty Warriors

¹⁰ These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised— ¹¹ this is the list of David’s mighty warriors:

Jashobeam, a Hakmonite, was chief of the officers; he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

¹² Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors. ¹³ He was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place where there was a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. ¹⁴ But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.

¹⁵ Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. ¹⁶ At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. ¹⁷ David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” ¹⁸ So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord. ¹⁹ “God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

²⁰ Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. ²¹ He was doubly honored above the Three and became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

²² Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. ²³ And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. ²⁴ Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. ²⁵ He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

²⁶ The mighty warriors were: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, ²⁷ Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, ²⁸ Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, ²⁹ Sibbekai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, ³⁰ Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, ³¹ Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, ³² Hurai from the ravines of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, ³³ Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, ³⁴ the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite, ³⁵ Ahiam son of Sakar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur, ³⁶ Hepher the Mekerathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, ³⁷ Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai, ³⁸ Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Hagri, ³⁹ Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah, ⁴⁰ Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, ⁴¹ Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai, ⁴² Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, who was chief of the Reubenites, and the thirty with him,

⁴³ Hanan son of Maakah, Joshaphat the Mithnite, ⁴⁴ Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, ⁴⁵ Jediael son of Shimri, his brother Joha the Tizite, ⁴⁶ Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, ⁴⁷ Eliel, Obed and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

By the time David moved to capture Jerusalem, he had already been king of Israel for seven years. The Lord must have guided David in a special way when he chose Jerusalem to be his capital because Jerusalem would play a strategic role in the working out of God’s great plan of salvation. God had promised the Israelites that He would appoint a place where they could come to worship Him (Deuteronomy 12:1–7). Jerusalem was that place before Jesus came to teach of the Kingdom of God.

Zion is the New Jerusalem; the City in the Kingdom of God!

The writer of Hebrews explains;

“You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews 12:18-24

The church now sees the earthly Jerusalem as a divided city, a city of traditions in conflict; but the heavenly Jerusalem as a symbol of the covenant of grace in Christ Jesus and the eternal home of His people.

See Revelation 21–22 for more chronicles of true facts from Jesus who revealed Truth to John! God has set His King, Jesus, on the throne (Psalm 2:6), and one day He will speak in His wrath and judge those who oppose Him and His truth.

Here is a glimpse of our future written down in John’s Revelation from Jesus;

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”—John from Jesus, Revelation 21:1-5

“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” Psalm 2:6

God is speaking of Jesus, His Son, who was, is, and always will be our eternal king—written by the Psalmist, David, centuries earlier!

Yes, God has everything under His sovereign control—even if we don’t see, hear, or feel it, God IS in the details of our lives.  Gods love never changes.  God never fails. And God is always with us.  That’s the Truth!  And Jesus? He is at the Center of it all!

Lord,

Our prayer this morning; Open our eyes, help us to intentionally listen for your voice with determined, relentless focus on what we have learned through your Word.  May we see you at work, fulfilling  Your Plan of redemption in each one You have created.  Here is my life.  Use me as your physical hands and feet to point the Way to Your salvation and help to overcome.  You are King of my life!  You are the One I trust because you are Life to me!  May the Kingdom of God dwell in me.

In Jesus Name, Amen

We see many humble people rise to greatness as leaders because they love God, know His ways and tell the truth.  Humbled beginnings keeps their hearts in check to put others interests above their own.  Humble people are trustworthy because have been where you are now—living humbly content with what you have been given to manage. They know what you are going through to survive.  But relationships, character, integrity, and that once embedded humility turns sour when they forget where they came.  The life of contentment, the desire to help others because of your love for them is replaced with wanting more for yourself.  Pride with the side effects of envy, jealousy, and greed overcomes their being and floods their hearts, minds, and souls with wanting to be served by all who come into their presence.  All that was good goes bad when self-satisfaction takes over. 

The devil applauds the arrogance of once humbled people as it breaks God’s heart.

Speaking of arrogance, where did the first king of Israel come from?  The lowly, last tribe mentioned of Benjamin! Benjamin was Jacob/Israel’s youngest son so his tribe is listed last. The first king of Israel, Saul, came from this tribe, so the genealogy quickly narrows to Saul’s family background.  We previously read Saul’s story, his relationship with God, his arrogant disobedience of God because he wanted to be the god of the world which would lead to his demise in the book of Samuel.  Here is were he came from; 

1 Chronicles 8

The Genealogy of Saul the Benjamite

8 Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second son, Aharah the third, ² Nohah the fourth and Rapha the fifth.

³ The sons of Bela were: Addar, Gera, Abihud, ⁴ Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, ⁵ Gera, Shephuphan and Huram.

⁶ These were the descendants of Ehud, who were heads of families of those living in Geba and were deported to Manahath: ⁷ Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who deported them and who was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.

⁸ Sons were born to Shaharaim in Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. ⁹ By his wife Hodesh he had Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malkam, ¹⁰ Jeuz, Sakia and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of families. ¹¹ By Hushim he had Abitub and Elpaal.

¹² The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, Shemed (who built Ono and Lod with its surrounding villages), ¹³ and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of families of those living in Aijalon and who drove out the inhabitants of Gath.

¹⁴ Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, ¹⁵ Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, ¹⁶ Michael, Ishpah and Joha were the sons of Beriah. ¹⁷ Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, ¹⁸ Ishmerai, Izliah and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal. ¹⁹ Jakim, Zikri, Zabdi, ²⁰ Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, ²¹ Adaiah, Beraiah and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.

²² Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, ²³ Abdon, Zikri, Hanan, ²⁴ Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, ²⁵ Iphdeiah and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.  ²⁶ Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, ²⁷ Jaareshiah, Elijah and Zikri were the sons of Jeroham. ²⁸ All these were heads of families, chiefs as listed in their genealogy, and they lived in Jerusalem.

²⁹ Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon.  His wife’s name was Maakah, ³⁰ and his firstborn son was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, ³¹ Gedor, Ahio, Zeker ³² and Mikloth, who was the father of Shimeah. They too lived near their relatives in Jerusalem.

³³ Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal.

³⁴ The son of Jonathan: Merib-Baal, (Also known as Mephibosheth), who was the father of Micah.

³⁵ The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melek, Tarea and Ahaz.

³⁶ Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza. ³⁷ Moza was the father of Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son and Azel his son.

³⁸ Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.

³⁹ The sons of his brother Eshek: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second son and Eliphelet the third. ⁴⁰ The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons—150 in all.

All these were the descendants of Benjamin.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Where we come from is not as important as Who we love, admire, trust, and obey.

The story of Saul is also the story of Jonathan, his son.  The story of Saul’s rise to the throne and his eventual fall from God’s favor is told in 1 Samuel 9–31.

Saul’s son Jonathan is one of the most outstanding characters in the Bible. Jonathan’s friendship with David was one of the constants in David’s life until Jonathan was killed in battle alongside his father. Jonathan’s story saturates 1 Samuel 14–31 with integrity, genuine friendship, and exemplary loyalty. Having a friend like Jonathan is one of life’s greatest treasures. 

Think about it—Saul came from the lowly, last tribe mentioned, with humble beginnings.  We knew God and followed what He said until he didn’t.  With God’s success through him as King of Israel; Saul developed a taste for being served rather than being of service to God’s people.  Saul felt like he knew better than God and would not totally obey what God told him to do.  Jonathan, however, born a Prince as the King’s Son had every physical need met but lived a life of integrity.

What is our response to God? Is our response based on our circumstances or our faith and commitment to God?  Does it really matter where we came from?  Or is it more important where we are going—with God in the lead?

Romans 12:1-2 tells us what to be first (on offering to God) and then do (God’s perfect, pleasing will) guided by God’s Holy Spirit. This is walking humbly with God—one of His requirements.  “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you? But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”. Micah 6:8. The prophet speaks God’s words so that we will know God more so we can be more like Him in His characteristics of righteous actions, compassion, with a humble relationship God.  Our relationship with God will affectively govern our relationship with others whom God loves and created—all over the world! 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3;16-17

Remember it was God’s people who cried for a king to lead them. They wanted to be like the nations around them who did not know or trust God as God.  God gave them what they asked for but allowed them to live the consequences of putting all their worship and dependence in a human king.

For us, only Jesus, who was without sin, sent to redeem us, is King. Jesus willingly obeyed God as he laid down His life to die for our sins.  Jesus put others interests ahead of his own.  He came to serve; not to be served.  Jesus was born to a carpenter and his espoused wife who humbly walked with God.  Jesus lived humbly and walked with God, too.  He was God in flesh. Jesus met with God often, communed with God in prayer conversation, asking God for His will and direction first before doing anything of significance for others. 

Jesus completed His mission on earth to seek and to save the lost while fulfilling every detail The Law by becoming the once and for all Sacrifice for the sins of the world—as written centuries earlier by God’s prophets! Jesus gave his life so we could live freely without the bondage of our sins. God gave Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth upon rising from death to life as KING of kings and LORD of lords. 

Jesus is our Hope of eternal life now and forever.  With God’s authority in His Son, Jesus commands (not suggests as a church activity) but commands all who believe; “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” 

Jesus gives this command with a promise: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  We can count on this blessed assurance!  God’s Holy Spirit who lives in us gives us the words to say with His spirit of love, mercy, and grace!  Jesus in us also guides us to think and behave more like Him as LORD of our lives!

Speaking of Hope—

Chapter 9 is a bit of a leap forward in history, bypassing the years of kingly rule and the years of captivity in Babylon to list the families that returned to Judah from exile. This accounting would fit best at the end of this book, but this flash forward serves as an encouraging note that the cycle of unfaithfulness and sinfulness that accompanied the monarchy and the painful punishment of exile finally ended.

Words of hope for the returning exiles were as significant as the promises we have about Christ’s return. And seeing how God kept His promises in the past renews our own sense of hope.

Lord,

Thank you for being with us always. Thank you for listening to us and then teaching us truth that enriches our thoughts and affects our responsive behaviors to You. Thank you for living in us to guide us first to Truth—You; and then shaping us to Your will and purpose for us.  There is no one like you in all the earth! That is why I want to be more like you in every way.  I love you, Lord, with all my heart, mind, and soul.  You are God alone; I am not.

In Jesus Name, Amen