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Thoughts on the Bible Readings (1 Samuel 25; Jeremiah 2; Matthew 13) for July 12th
Episode 960
1 Samuel 25 verse1 records the death of Samuel. Samuel's death marked the end of the era of the judges, who collectively had ruled for 450 years: Acts 13 verse 20. Samuel had an incredible influence upon Israel during the transition from the judges to the monarchy. The chapter tells the story of David and Abigail. During these fugitive years David and his band of warriors had protected the shearers and shepherds of Nabal in the wilderness of Maon and had asked for nothing in return. David during these troubled years found himself in great need and he sent messengers to Nabal asking for food. Nabal was an exceptionally wealthy man who lived in the lush countryside of Carmel. The messengers respectfully told Nabal of what David's band had done for Nabal. Nabal's arrogance was seen as he spoke savagely to David's men. Nabal also derided David and sent the messengers away empty and angry. When David heard his messengers' words he determined to immediately exact revenge on arrogant and foolish Nabal. This would have happened had not Abigail - Nabal's wife - swiftly acted after hearing from Nabal's servants the shameful way that David's messengers had been treated. In her wisdom she gathered provisions and hoped to avert bloodshed by placating David's anger and reminding David that his God has always providentially provided for David. Abigail assured David that his Sovereign will bring him to the throne and David needs to refrain himself from avenging himself: Romans 12 verses 17-21. Slowly read these words aloud and ponder the lesson for the way faithful disciples must live. David agrees with Abigail to leave matters in the Almighty's hands. Abigail is praised by David for her wisdom and foresight. Nabal held a grand self indulgent feast fit for a king that night. In the morning Abigail tells Nabal that his folly nearly proved fatal - the Hebrew name "Nabal" means fool - that he almost lost his life due to his foolishness. When he heard this the LORD instantly struck Nabal, possibly with a massive stroke-like sickness.Ten days later Nabal died and David thanked Yahweh for dealing with that wicked man. It is highly likely that the parable of our Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 12 veres 13-21 of the rich "fool" is based on the life of Nabal. Now read these verses in Luke 12 and the advice for how disciples must now live in the following verses 22-34 from the same chapter. David recognises what an asset Abigail, with her wise counsel, would be as his wife. So David invites her to join him in his life as a fugitive in the wilderness. Abigail chose to accept David's proposal and forsake the luxurious life that she might have been expected had she stayed as a wealthy widow. Of course this is conjecture; but it would seem that David was playing the part of the "goel", or redeemer, in preserving Abigail's heritage. The chapter in Samuel curiously ends by telling us of David taking another wife and of Saul giving David's wife, Michal, to another nobleman.
Jeremiah 2 verses 1-3 speak of the first love that the fathers of Israel and are classic expressions that relate to the nation's redemption out of Egypt - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - had for Yahweh in their sojourns before the LORD brought them into the Promised Land. Verses 4-8 speak of the decline of the nation after leaving Israel until the time of Jeremiah. They had left the love and worship of the one true God and Israel had embraced self seeking and idolatry. Verses 9-13 reveal that Israel's behaviour was worse than that of the surrounding nations. And their actions show a failing in their thinking. They had laboured to hew from the rock cisterns that could not hold water. And far worse than that they had forsaken Yahweh their Sovereign who was a fountain of waters of life forever springing from their one true Rock. How reminiscent this was of the rock that provided Israel with water during their wilderness wanderings for almost 38 years. The lessons for today's disciples are outl
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