enemies

In Times of Trouble, Turn to God

/ kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

A psalm of David.

1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
    fight against those who fight against me!
2 Take hold of shield and buckler
    and rise for my help!
3 Draw the spear and javelin
    against my pursuers!
Say to my soul,
    “I am your salvation!”

4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor
    who seek after my life!
Let them be turned back and disappointed
    who devise evil against me!
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
    with the angel of the LORD driving them away!
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
    with the angel of the LORD pursuing them!

7 For without cause they hid their net for me;
    without cause they dug a pit for my life.
8 Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it!
And let the net that he hid ensnare him;
    let him fall into it—to his destruction!

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD,
    exulting in his salvation.
10 All my bones shall say,
    “O LORD, who is like you,
delivering the poor
    from him who is too strong for him,
    the poor and needy from him who robs him?”

11 Malicious witnesses rise up;
    they ask me of things that I do not know.
12 They repay me evil for good;
    my soul is bereft.
13 But I, when they were sick—
    I wore sackcloth;
    I afflicted myself with fasting;
I prayed with head bowed on my chest.
14     I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother;
as one who laments his mother,
    I bowed down in mourning.

15 But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered;
    they gathered together against me;
wretches whom I did not know
    tore at me without ceasing;
16 like profane mockers at a feast,
    they gnash at me with their teeth.

17 How long, O Lord, will you look on?
    Rescue me from their destruction,
    my precious life from the lions!
18 I will thank you in the great congregation;
    in the mighty throng I will praise you.

19 Let not those rejoice over me
    who are wrongfully my foes,
and let not those wink the eye
    who hate me without cause.
20 For they do not speak peace,
    but against those who are quiet in the land
    they devise words of deceit.
21 They open wide their mouths against me;
    they say, “Aha, Aha!
    Our eyes have seen it!”

22 You have seen, O LORD; be not silent!
    O Lord, be not far from me!
23 Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication,
    for my cause, my God and my Lord!
24 Vindicate me, O LORD, my God,
    according to your righteousness,
    and let them not rejoice over me!
25 Let them not say in their hearts,
    “Aha, our heart’s desire!”
Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”

26 Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether
    who rejoice at my calamity!
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor
    who magnify themselves against me!

27 Let those who delight in my righteousness
    shout for joy and be glad
    and say evermore,
“Great is the LORD,
    who delights in the welfare of his servant!”
28 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
    and of your praise all the day long. – Psalm 35:1-28 ESV

This is a difficult psalm to read because to contains harsh language that seems out of place and inappropriate for a child of God. It is one of four imprecatory psalms in which the writer asks God to pour judgment out on his enemies. The words are vindictive in nature and don’t seem to fit in with the New Testament concept of loving your enemy and turning the other cheek. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught a new way of treating one’s enemies.

“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.” – Matthew 5:44-48 ESV

In his account of this same sermon, Luke records Jesus delivering yet another rule-bending lesson on enmity with one’s enemies.

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” – Luke 6:27-31 ESV

Yet, in Psalm 35, David calls down curses from God on those who oppose him. He asks God to destroy them. So what are we supposed to do with this information? Are we to use this Psalm as a pattern for our own prayer lives? Does the content of this psalm provide us with a pattern for responding to those who oppose us or try to do us harm? I think the answer is no.

The real lesson of this psalm is that life can be difficult. Even David, the king of Israel and the man who was known as a man after God’s own heart, found himself facing trying situations. He had been falsely accused, unjustly attacked, and was under constant threat of betrayal from both within and without. He minced words in expressing the actions of his enemies.

Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me;
    turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me. – Psalm 35:4 NLT

I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me.
    I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me. – Psalm 35:7 NLT

Malicious witnesses testify against me.
    They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
They repay me evil for good. – Psalm 35:11-12 NLT

It seems unlikely that David exaggerated his claims or used hyperbolic language. The threats against him were real, and he was legitimately concerned for his well-being.

We must never forget that David was writing as the king of Israel. He was the anointed, God-appointed leader of the nation and was responsible for opposing all those who stood against God and His people. David’s job as king was to defeat the enemies of Israel and defend the people of God. As the king, he represented God and was the primary target for attack by all those who refused to acknowledge Yahweh as the one true God. David was obviously frustrated, fearful, and weary of the constant attacks on his leadership and person. He was tired of all the false accusations and clandestine attempts to dethrone and defeat him. Unable to hide his frustration with the ill treatment he received from those he had shown mercy and grace, David cried out to God to turn the tables and give these individuals a taste of their own medicine.

The key to understanding this Psalm is not based on what David asks to be done but on who he asks to do it. David was the king, and he could have taken matters into his own hands and given these people exactly what they deserved. He was a warrior and had a powerful army at his disposal. He was the ultimate judge in the land and could have enacted judgment and meted out justice as he saw fit. David was fully capable of solving all these problems in his own way. But instead, he called out to God.

O LORD, oppose those who oppose me.
    Fight those who fight against me.
Put on your armor, and take up your shield.
    Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. – Psalm 35:1-2 NLT

Wake up! Rise to my defense!
    Take up my case, my God and my Lord.
Declare me not guilty, O LORD my God, for you give justice. – Psalm 35:23-24 NLT

He appealed to the ultimate judge of all men and asked Him to act as his advocate and protector. This psalm is brutally honest and paints a clear picture of David’s pain and frustration. It provides an accurate glimpse into the life of this man who tried to love and serve God all his life. He shared his heart with God, honestly opening up about his feelings. He holds nothing back. But in the end, David placed all of his pain, frustration, and confusion in the hands of God. He knew the solution to his problems could only come from one source: The LORD. He understood that victory over his enemies would be up to God and that the timing and nature of that victory might differ from what he desired.

Ultimately, his rescue and release from his trials would be up to God, who was fully aware of his suffering and capable of doing something about it. So he asked God to come to his defense, take up his case, and declare him innocent. David was willing to wait on God. Yes, he struggled with what appears to be God’s apparent delay in answering, but he waited nonetheless. He gave God his cares and concerns and trusted Him to do the right thing. Why? Because he knew that “Great is the LORD, who delights in blessing his servant with peace? (Psalm 35:27 NLT).

Father, life can be hard. People can be difficult. Sometimes I am tempted to take matters into my own hands in an attempt to solve my problems. But help me to turn to You instead. You are my advocate, protector, and rescuer. You know what is best and You always do what is right. May Your Spirit give me patience as I wait and an overwhelming sense of peace as I contemplate Your love, justice, mercy, and power. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Illusive Life of Integrity

/ kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

A Psalm of David.

1 Vindicate me, O Lord,
    for I have walked in my integrity,
    and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and my mind.
3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in your faithfulness.

4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and I will not sit with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord,
7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
    and telling all your wondrous deeds.

8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
    nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices,
    and whose right hands are full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
    redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground;
    in the great assembly I will bless the Lord. – Psalm 26:1-12 ESV

There are times when David comes across as a bit full of himself, and this Psalm is a case in point. He begins by asking God to affirm his innocence, and as proof, he makes some rather bold claims.

I have acted with integrity;
    I have trusted in the Lord without wavering… – Psalm 26:1 NLT

For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
    and I have lived according to your truth.
I do not spend time with liars
    or go along with hypocrites.
I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,
    and I refuse to join in with the wicked.
I wash my hands to declare my innocence.
    I come to your altar, O Lord – Psalm 26:3-6 NLT

The first half of this Psalm reads like a transcript from a trial, with David, the accused, standing before the Judge’s bench and declaring his innocence. Facing false accusations from unnamed sources, David is desperate to have God examine the facts of the case. Despite the damaging allegations leveled against him, David remains confident that God will acquit him of all wrongdoing.

As proof, David asserts his seemingly sterling character, portraying himself as a virtual icon of virtue. But David is not bragging. These are not the words of a self-righteous moralist claiming to live in sinless perfection. He is simply attempting to establish what sets himself apart from his enemies. His words are more of an indictment of them than they are a declaration of David’s spiritual superiority. He is far from perfect, and yet, despite his many shortcomings, he remains faithful to God. He has tried to live according to God’s truth and has refused to consort with those whose lives are marked by wickedness. David may lie, but he isn’t pathological about it. Occasionally, he could be hypocritical, but he didn’t make a habit of it.

David could say, “I live with integrity” (Psalm 26:11 NLT). But what does that mean? What was he claiming? He said he had acted or literally “walked” (lived his life) with integrity. In the Hebrew language, the word is tom, and it refers to completeness or wholeness. To live with integrity is to live a life that is non-compartmentalized. There is no such thing as the secular-sacred split. A person who lives in integrity allows the things of God to impact and influence every area of their life, including their home, work, leisure time, recreation, relationships, finances, etc.

There is no area in his life for which someone might be able to point their finger and level an accusation of impropriety or ungodly behavior. It is the same idea found in the qualifications for an elder or deacon in 1 Timothy.

If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position. So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. – 1 Timothy 3:1-10 NLT

A life of integrity does not require sinless perfection. However, it does demand that one conduct their life with motives and attitudes marked by a desire to do what God would have them do. It displays a love for the things of God rather than the things of this world. A person of integrity is willing to trust God with every aspect of their life, dedicating every facet of it to His service and not holding back anything for their own selfish pleasures or desires.

As David indicates, a life of integrity is motivated by God’s unfailing love and is a logical response to His grace and mercy. A person of integrity knows their life does not belong to them but to God. It is not for them to use as they see fit. That is why David refused to associate with liars and hypocrites. He wanted nothing to do with those who do evil. The thought of aligning himself with the wicked was repulsive to him. A person of integrity would rather spend time with God and His people than anyone else. It is a life marked by separateness and set-apartness, not compromise and convenience. This is why David could say, “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me” (Psalm 26:2 NLT). He was willing to allow God to test the purity of his faithfulness and the validity of his integrity.

What about us? Could our integrity stand up to the heat of God’s scrutiny? Is our life characterized more by compartmentalization or wholeness? Are there any areas of our lives we refuse to let God control? Because of the integrity of his life, David found himself standing on a firm footing. He trusted in the integrity of God and placed his hope in Him. He had seen God to be faithful and true.  God had proven Himself to be anything but compartmentalized in His relationship with and reaction to David.  So David was willing to live for God’s glory in every area of his life.

The apostle Paul described this kind of life to the believers in Rome.

I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. – Romans 12:1 NLT

God wants a complete or whole sacrifice – not partial. His Son died to redeem all of us, not part of us. To live a life of integrity is to surrender your whole life to God because His Son gave His life to redeem all of you.

Jesus put it this way:

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” – Matthew 16:24-26 NLT

The words of the old chorus, “I Surrender All,” seem appropriate here.

All to Jesus I surrenderAll to Him I freely giveI will ever love and trust HimIn His presence daily live
All to Jesus I surrenderHumbly at His feet I bowWorldly pleasures all forsakenTake me, Jesus, take me now
I surrender allI surrender allAll to Thee my blessed SaviorI surrender all

Father, I want my life to be marked by integrity — not the worldly, human version, but the biblical one. I want every area of my life to be Yours. I know I hold areas back, afraid to let You control them. But continue to lovingly pry them from my hands so I can place them on the altar as a sacrifice to You. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

When All Else Fails, Turn to God

/ kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

A Prayer of David.

1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry!
    Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2 From your presence let my vindication come!
    Let your eyes behold the right!

3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
    you have tested me, and you will find nothing;
    I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
    I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
    my feet have not slipped.

6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
    incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
    O Savior of those who seek refuge
    from their adversaries at your right hand.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
    hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who do me violence,
    my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They close their hearts to pity;
    with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They have now surrounded our steps;
    they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
12 He is like a lion eager to tear,
    as a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!
    Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O LORD,
    from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure;
    they are satisfied with children,
    and they leave their abundance to their infants.

15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
    when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. – Psalm 17:1-15 ESV

In this Psalm of lament, David cries out to Yahweh (the LORD), begging Him to show mercy and dispense justice. David was going through an undisclosed difficulty that required Yahweh’s intervention. No details given as to the cause of David’s distress, but he clearly viewed his predicament as worthy of Yahweh’s attention.

Protect me from wicked people who attack me,
    from murderous enemies who surround me.
They are without pity. – Psalm 17:9-10 NLT

David begins his petition by declaring his innocence, claiming his lips are free from deceit. He is not duplicitous or hypocritical. In fact, he believes that Yahweh knows the condition of his heart and will affirm that his enemies are treating him unjustly.

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.
    You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.
    I am determined not to sin in what I say.
I have followed your commands,
    which keep me from following cruel and evil people.
My steps have stayed on your path;
    I have not wavered from following you. – Psalm 17:3-5 NLT

David’s words have a hint of hubris to them. He seems a bit too self-confident and self-assured of his own righteousness. But David is not boasting of his own moral purity or declaring himself to be free from sin. He is simply stating that he had done nothing to deserve the unjust treatment of his antagonists.

David was a deeply flawed man who was well aware of his own shortcomings. He was all too familiar with his sinful predispositions but he remained firmly committed to Yahweh. That is why he invites Yahweh to examine his heart.

“. . . he requests God to ‘test’ his ‘heart’ (see 7:7), i.e., to put him through every conceivable examination. The probing (bahan, see 7:9) of ‘the heart’ (v. 3a) is a determination of the purity and integrity of the heart. Even as silver and gold underwent a refining process and were tested until the smith was satisfied with the purity of these precious metals, so the psalmist asks for an examination of his purity of devotion to God.” – Willem A. VanGemeren, “Psalms.” In Psalms-Song of Songs. Vol. 5 of
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary

David knew he couldn’t hide anything from Yahweh, for whom his heart was an open book. In Psalm 139, David discloses his awareness of Yahweh’s uncanny ability to see into the depths of his soul.

O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord. – Psalm 139:1-4 NLT

Yahweh knew David’s thoughts before he could form them into words. Nothing remained hidden from the Almighty’s all-seeing eyes. In fact, David was so confident in Yahweh’s investigative skills that he begged to have his life examined so any secret sins could be exposed.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life. – Psalm 139:23-24 NLT

David was not a self-deluded do-gooder blind to his own shortcomings. He was a pragmatic and practical man who understood the state of his own heart. In another Psalm, written not long after his elicit affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, David wrote, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart” (Psalm 51:5-6 ESV). 

So, Psalm 17 is not David’s attempt to whitewash over his sinfulness or to diminish his capacity to offend a holy and just God. He simply declares that his current conditions were not tied to his actions. He was innocent and the attacks of his enemies were undeserved and unrelenting.

They track me down and surround me,
    watching for the chance to throw me to the ground.
They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart—
    like young lions hiding in ambush. – Psalm 17:11-12 NLT

It’s important to remember that David was the king and had the power and authority to vindicate himself against any and all foes. With a word, David could call on the Israelite army and send his enemies running. He could have his enemies arrested, tried, and executed. But instead, David calls on God.

Arise, O Lord!
    Stand against them, and bring them to their knees!
    Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!
By the power of your hand, O Lord,
    destroy those who look to this world for their reward. – Psalm 17:13-14 NLT

David would have been familiar with the words spoken by Yahweh and recorded by Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy.

“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.” – Deuteronomy 32:25 ESV

David viewed the attacks against him as an assault on Yahweh’s authority. While David was the recipient of their anger, Yahweh was the ultimate target. That’s why David called on Yahweh to intervene. David describes his opponents as those “who look to this world for their reward” (Psalm 17:14 NLT). They were worldly and godless. 

This doesn’t mean these people were pagans or idolators. In fact, they could have been faithful Hebrews who viewed themselves as law-abiding Yahweh followers. Yet their actions disclosed the true condition of their hearts. The apostle Paul describes a similar problem when writing to the church in Philippi. There were those in the local congregation who claimed to be Christ-followers but whose actions disclosed something quite different.

For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. – Philippians 3:18-19 NLT

David knew that only Yahweh could tell the difference because He could see into the heart and disclose its condition. In the conflict he faced, David was willing to allow Yahweh to step in and adjudicate the outcome. He remained confident in his own innocence and Yahweh’s justice.

Because I am righteous, I will see you.
    When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied. – Psalm 17:15 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Destruction From Within

/ kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

1 Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” 3 There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” 4 And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. 5 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.”

6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7 I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them 8 and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. 9 So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? 10 Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 11 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” 12 Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. 13 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.

14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.” – Nehemiah 5:1-19 ESV

As the walls went up, the people’s morale plummeted. This unexpected outcome must have left Nememiah perplexed. Was it his plan for a division of the labor that had ended up dividing the laborers? Were the people frustrated with their job assignments or workload? Had they become disgruntled about their benefits package or lack of time off?

It seems that their discontentment had nothing to do with the work on the walls. There was a festering problem among the people of Judah of which Nehemiah was completely unaware. In his haste to rebuild the walls, he had overlooked a more pressing need that posed an even greater threat than Sanballat, Tobiah, and their companions.

The people of Judah were divided. While they had managed to work side by side on the walls, they harbored long-standing resentment toward one another that stretched back long before Nehemiah’s arrival. The wall project had managed to unify them temporarily but it had also exacerbated a long-standing issue that threatened to undermine Nehemiah’s plans and all their hard work.

Since his arrival in Jerusalem, Nehemiah had made the rebuilding of the walls the highest priority. He had successfully organized the former exiles into work crews and provided them with the tools and motivation to get the job done. However, the intense work schedule forced many of them to neglect their own affairs. Fields went unplanted and harvests were neglected. The round-the-clock construction schedule made it difficult for parents to care for the well-being of their families. Household chores went undone. Sheep went unsheared. Flocks went unfed. And old resentments bubbled to the surface.

The complaints came in three forms. The first had to do with the division of food. Because everyone shared in the work, Nehemiah had arranged for everyone to get a fair share of the communal provisions. But it seems there were holes in his plan that allowed inequities to exist. Some of the larger families expressed frustration over their insufficient food allotments.

“We have such large families. We need more food to survive.” – Nehemiah 5:2 NLT

To make matters worse, a local famine had driven up food costs, forcing some to take drastic measures just to feed their families.

“We have mortgaged our fields, vineyards, and homes to get food during the famine.” – Nehemiah 5:3 NLT

A third group complained about the high taxes levied against them by King Artaxerxes. While they had labored long and hard on the walls, the king had not called off his tax collectors. This forced many of the Jews to take out high-interest loans using their property as collateral. Worse yet, some had become so desperate that they sold some of their children into slavery just so the rest could eat.

“We have had to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay our taxes. We belong to the same family as those who are wealthy, and our children are just like theirs. Yet we must sell our children into slavery just to get enough money to live. We have already sold some of our daughters, and we are helpless to do anything about it, for our fields and vineyards are already mortgaged to others.” – Nehemiah 5:4-5 NLT

What made this state of affairs even more shocking to Nehemiah was that Jews were taking advantage of their own. In other words, this was an in-house problem. The haves were abusing the have-nots. The wealthy were loaning money to their fellow Jews at high interest rates, in direct violation of God’s law.

“If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and cannot support himself, support him as you would a foreigner or a temporary resident and allow him to live with you. Do not charge interest or make a profit at his expense. Instead, show your fear of God by letting him live with you as your relative. Remember, do not charge interest on money you lend him or make a profit on food you sell him. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.” – Leviticus 25:35-38 NLT

Abuse of this law had been going on for some time. Long before Nehemiah showed up, the more affluent Jews had been using their God-given resources to profit from the hardships of the less fortunate among them. This kind of behavior had been forbidden by God.

“If you lend money to any of my people who are in need, do not charge interest as a money lender would.” – Exodus 22:25 NLT

Nehemiah became incensed when he discovered what was going on and gathered the Jewish nobles together so he could read them the riot act.

“You are hurting your own relatives by charging interest when they borrow money!” – Nehemiah 5:7 NLT

Their behavior was unlawful and unacceptable, and it had to stop. It seems that Nehemiah and others had used their personal resources to purchase the freedom of Jews who had become enslaved to Persian masters. These recently redeemed individuals had returned to Judah with Nehemiah and helped in the construction of the walls. Nehemiah never expected to hear that his fellow Jews were selling one another out just to line their own pockets. In his mind, this was far worse than anything Sanballat or Tobiah could have come up with. The Jews were actually destroying themselves from within.

Like a good leader, Nehemiah took action and demanded that reparations be made. He knew the walls couldn’t protect against this kind of self-destruction. It was Jesus who said, “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand” (Mark 3:25 ESV). The Proverbs put it this way: “Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live” (Proverbs 15:27 NLT).

The prophet Micah also wrote about his pressing problem.

What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night,
    thinking up evil plans.
You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out,
    simply because you have the power to do so.
When you want a piece of land,
    you find a way to seize it.
When you want someone’s house,
    you take it by fraud and violence.
You cheat a man of his property,
    stealing his family’s inheritance. – Micah 2:1-2 NLT

And Micah went on to share God’s prescribed judgment for those who do such things.

“I will reward your evil with evil;
    you won’t be able to pull your neck out of the noose.
You will no longer walk around proudly,
    for it will be a terrible time.” – Micah 2:3 NLT

And Nehemiah pulled no punches either, unapologetically calling out all the guilty parties and demanding immediate restitution.

“What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations? I myself, as well as my brothers and my workers, have been lending the people money and grain, but now let us stop this business of charging interest. You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. And repay the interest you charged when you lent them money, grain, new wine, and olive oil.” – Nehemiah 5:9-11 NLT

Surprisingly, the people were convicted and willing to comply with Nehemiah’s demands. They wholeheartedly agreed to make things right, at great personal cost. Confiscated land would need to be restored. All interest would need to be repaid. On top of all this, the people agreed to cease and desist from further abuse of God’s law. It all ended here.

The walls of Jerusalem were little more than a symbol of the spiritual state of Judah. The fallen stones represented the fallen condition of God’s chosen people. Their spiritual lives lay in ruins because they had chosen to disobey His commands. Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild the physical walls of the city would accomplish little if the people continued to operate in a state of spiritual fallenness and mutual self-destruction. Judah’s enemies could simply stand back and watch as the nation destroyed itself from within.

Their actions exhibited a disregard for God’s law and a flippancy toward God’s justice. They had no fear of God’s retribution. And yet Nehemiah was a living example of what God expected. He feared God and demonstrated it by his actions. Rather than live off the salary available to him as governor, he paid his own way. Not only that, he fed and provided for 150 people – out of his own pocket. As the king-appointed governor, he didn’t sit in his palace overseeing the work of rebuilding the wall. He got his hands dirty. He worked alongside the people and put up with the daily threats of his enemies. He had to deny their vicious rumors and continue to encourage the people to remain strong and faithful to their God-given task. Despite this serious setback, Nehemiah’s efforts proved successful and the wall was completed in only 52 days.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Leading from the Knees

/ kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.

6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand. – Nehemiah 4:1-23 ESV

Leading others can be difficult even in the best of times. When things aren’t going well, it can become nearly impossible. Nehemiah was encountering the very real challenge of trying to motivate a workforce burdened with the overwhelming responsibility of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. This massive civic work project was overwhelming in both its scale and importance. It is estimated that the walls of Jerusalem were more than two miles in circumference and high enough to serve as a formidable barrier against enemy invasion. These walls had lain in ruins for nearly 150 years and Nehemiah was attempting to rebuild them using a civilian workforce comprised of priests, peasants, merchants, and government officials.

Despite the size and complexity of the task, progress was being made. The walls were going up and the gates were being installed. But while their hard work paid off, it had produced a growing resentment among their enemies. The local non-Jewish residents were incensed that Nehemiah had been successful in his efforts to rebuild the walls. Sanballat and his co-conspirators used sarcasm and ridicule to demoralize Nehemiah’s workforce.

“What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” – Nememiah 4:2 NLT

But while their childish taunts failed to halt the rebuilding efforts, they did have an effect. The Jews began to question the validity of their work. Were they wasting their time? Was their labor in vain? Weary from the back-breaking work of rebuilding the walls, they were susceptible to doubt and despair. Nehemiah could sense that the people were struggling and took the matter to the Lord.

“Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.” – Nehemiah 4:4-5 NLT

He asked Yahweh to hold their enemies accountable for their actions. Nehemiah wasn’t interested in mercy; he wanted vengeance. There is no indication that God answered Nehemiah’s prayer, but He did provide protection so that the people were able to complete 50 percent of the project.

Once again, their success only served to stoke the anger of Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites. The higher the wall went, the more intense the opposition became. No longer content to use words as weapons, the enemies of Israel began to plot physical violence. If they couldn’t demoralize the Jews with cutting words, they would cut them down with swords.

Nehemiah had his work cut out for him. He knew he had to keep the people working but the threat of armed opposition made his task even more difficult. So he prayed and took steps to prepare the people for the possibility of hand-to-hand combat. He “placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas” and “stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows” (Nehemiah 4:13 NLT).

Sensing the growing apprehension among his workers, Nehemiah tried to remind them of the nature of their cause and the presence of their God.

“Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” – Nehemiah 4:14 NLT

The people rallied to his charge and continued the work. While half labored on the walls, the rest served as armed guards and watchmen. But this division of labor didn’t come without its own set of problems. Nehemiah was learning that there was far more to leadership than he ever imagined.

He knew some of his workers felt they were getting the short end of the stick. As they worked, their companions stood around and “guarded” the walls. For one-half of the labor force, the work doubled. Real or perceived inequality and inequity make it extremely hard for people to want to follow. If they feel like they are getting the raw end of the deal, they will resist and sometimes even rebel. The construction project they were tasked with was seemingly insurmountable, requiring around-the-clock effort and robbing the people of much-needed rest. It wasn’t long before they began to lose heart.

Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.” – Nehemiah 4:10 NLT

Nehemiah was charged with leading the people and ensuring that the construction of the wall continued, despite persistent opposition and the waning hopes of the people. Nehemiah prayed, organized, encouraged, prepared, and took steps to ensure that the work could continue and the people were safe. He relied on the grace of God, but he understood that God’s grace is opposed to earning, but not effort. The steps he took to organize the people and defend the wall were not an attempt to earn favor with God, but to ensure that the work of God could continue uninterrupted. Nehemiah knew that the job they had to do was difficult and would require even more work on the part of the people. He knew their enemies were real and the threats they were making were not imaginary. So he did what what was necessary to see that the people were safe and the work could continue. They worked in shifts. Some built, while others guarded. They all carried weapons and were prepared to fight at a moments notice. But Nehemiah also knew that they would not be fighting alone. “Then our God will fight for us!” (Nehemiah 4:20b NLT).

As if their enemies were not enough, Nehemiah also found himself dealing with some significant problems within his own camp. The bickering began over inequities taking place. Some people were mortgaging everything they had just to buy food. Others had been forced to sell their own children into slavery just to pay their taxes. The sad thing was that the culprits who profited from all this were the nobles and officials of Judah. The haves were taking advantage of the have-nots. So Nehemiah took charge once again and demanded that the greed, graft, and corruption come to an end. And all along the way, he set the example for godly leadership, never drawing his official food allowance, even though he was entitled to it. He worked as hard as anyone else, never claiming exemption from labor due to his role as governor.

Nehemiah was a model of godly leadership. Why? Because he feared God. He had a reverence and respect for God that would not allow him to live in a way that brought shame or dishonor to the name of God through his actions. Nehemiah was motivated by his love for God and his belief that he worked for and was responsible to God for the people, the wall, and his own attitudes and actions. For Nehemiah, leadership was not about power, position, authority, or respect. He was not interested in lining his pockets or padding his resume. He simply wanted to use his God-given position to lead the people through exhortation and example. He would trust God for whatever reward God chose to give him for his efforts. He performed for an audience of one – God.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Constructive Faith

/ kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.

3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. 5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.

6 Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Gate of Yeshanah. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 7 And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, the seat of the governor of the province Beyond the River. 8 Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired. 10 Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph repaired opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired. 11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. 12 Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.

13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, as far as the Dung Gate.

14 Malchijah the son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars.

15 And Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and covered it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And he built the wall of the Pool of Shelah of the king’s garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the city of David. 16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool, and as far as the house of the mighty men. 17 After him the Levites repaired: Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district. 18 After him their brothers repaired: Bavvai the son of Henadad, ruler of half the district of Keilah. 19 Next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the ascent to the armory at the buttress. 20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai repaired another section from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21 After him Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired another section from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. 22 After him the priests, the men of the surrounding area, repaired. 23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah repaired beside his own house. 24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress and to the corner. 25 Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh 26 and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. 27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.

28 Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. 29 After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, repaired. 30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber. 31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants, opposite the Muster Gate, and to the upper chamber of the corner. 32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired. – Nehemiah 3:1-32 ESV

Nehemiah had a plan for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem but he would need manual labor to carry it out. This would be back-breaking work that required both strength and precision. Each work crew was assigned a gate to repair and, once the gate was completed, they were to construct the wall that led to the next gate. Their efforts needed to coordinate with the next team of builders so that the walls could be joined together seamlessly. This massive undertaking required brute force, keen engineering skills. craftsmanship, and a great deal of patience. But the people took on the project wholeheartedly and enthusiastically. Individuals from every walk of life joined in the effort, working side by side to see that the walls of their beloved city were rebuilt.

The work of rebuilding the walls began at the Sheep Gate at the northeastern corner near the Temple Mount. This section of the wall was repaired by the priests under the direction of Eliashib the high priest. He was the grandson of Jeshua, the former high priest, who had played a major role in rebuilding the altar of God so that the sacrificial system could be reinstituted.

Jeshua son of Jehozadak joined his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his family in rebuilding the altar of the God of Israel. They wanted to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as instructed in the Law of Moses, the man of God. Even though the people were afraid of the local residents, they rebuilt the altar at its old site. Then they began to sacrifice burnt offerings on the altar to the Lord each morning and evening. – Ezra 3:2-3 NLT

The Sheep Gate played an important part in the sacrificial system as well. Located near the Temple Mount, this gate provided easy access for the shepherds who tended the flocks used for the Temple sacrifices. The reconstruction of this gate became a high priority and was taken on by the priests themselves. Even the high priest rolled up his sleeves and joined in the work. Once they completed their gate, they consecrated it, setting it apart as holy to the LORD. This symbolic act was meant to remind the people that their work was to be done “as to the LORD” (Proverbs 16:3). The gates and walls were intended to provide protection, but they would also be a constant reminder of God’s presence, power, and provision.

It is interesting to note that the men of Jericho worked beside the priests. This brief reference would have struck a chord with the Jewish audience who read Nehemiah’s recounting of this momentous occasion. The mention of Jericho would have conjured up the stories they had been told as children. When the Israelites first crossed over the Jordan in their attempt to conquer the land of Canaan, they encountered the fortified city of Jericho. God gave Joshua the following instructions for taking this seemingly impenetrable city.

Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” – Joshua 6:1-5 NLT

Just the day before, Joshua had encountered an unknown and well-armed soldier. When Joshua asked whether he was a friend or foe, the man said, “I am the commander of the Lord’s army” (Joshuah 5:14 NLT). This pronouncement caused Joshua to fall to the ground in fear and reverence. It was from this divine messenger that Joshua received his orders to take the city of Jericho. By following the LORD’s command, the Israelites enjoyed a surprisingly easy victory over their enemies.

When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it. They completely destroyed everything in it with their swords—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys. – Joshua 6:20-21 NLT

The city of Jericho was eventually rebuilt and occupied by the Israelites. The walls that had fallen were restored, and the men who called this city their home came to assist in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Those who had the joy of living in the place where God gave the Israelites their first victory were more than happy to play a role in rebuilding the walls of their capital city.

Nehemiah goes on to chronicle the various groups that participated in the rebuilding process. While these names are unknown to modern readers, their inclusion gives the impression that people from every walk of life took part in this God-ordained project. The work was not done by peasants alone. Everyone from the high priest to the local government officials played their part. It was a community-wide effort. But there is one side note that reveals at least one group who chose to bow out of the proceedings.

…the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord. – Nehemiah 3:5 ESV

These elitist upper-class snobs deemed themselves too high and mighty to get their hands dirty. But Nehemiah paints a much more harsh reality. He describes them as unwilling to serve their Lord. They were too good to serve Yahweh.

Yet, their less affluent neighbors labored diligently and willingly to rebuild not just one section of wall, but two.

…the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel. – Nehemiah 3:27 ESV

No indictment is leveled against these unnamed nobles, but the Proverbs have much to say about men like them.

A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. – Proverbs 29:23 BSB

When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. – Proverbs 11:2 BSB

Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. – Proverbs 18:12 BSB

Despite the pompous attitude of the nobles of Tekoah, the work continued. Others pitched in and, over time, the gates were rebuilt and the walls were restored. This communal project was a testament to Nehemiah’s organizational skills and his powers of persuasion. He had successfully convinced the people of Judah to pool their efforts and accomplish a seemingly impossible task under less-than-ideal circumstances. They labored side by side for months on end, enduring harsh weather conditions and putting up with constant harassment from their enemies. Nehemiah’s description of their efforts makes it sound like everything went off without a hitch. He describes no injuries, setbacks, mishaps, or arguments. This was a do-it-yourself project of epic proportions that would have featured endless opportunities for frustration and confrontation. Mismeasured blocks would have needed to be repaired or replaced. Pulled muscles and broken limbs would have sidelined many, slowing down the work and increasing the workload of others.

And as the following chapter will reveal, the entire project was met with increasing hostility from the local inhabitants. Sanballat and Tobiah were relentless in their attacks, mocking the people of Judah for Don Quixote-like quest to do the impossible.

“What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” – Nehemiah 4:2 NLT

“That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” – Nehemiah 4:3 NLT

But the work went on and the walls went up. Perseverance and patience were necessary. Faith was a non-negotiable requirement. Determination and cooperation were indispensable. And the people would need to constantly remember that they had Yahweh on their side. The words of Nehemiah needed to ring in their ears as they hammered, hauled, chiseled, and chipped their way to completion.

“The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall.” – Nehemiah 2:20 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

A Never-Ending Battle With Sin

/ kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

1 After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

3 David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah-Hamath, as he went to set up his monument at the river Euphrates. 4 And David took from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough for 100 chariots. 5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 And from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a large amount of bronze. With it Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the vessels of bronze.

9 When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, 10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him; for Hadadezer had often been at war with Tou. And he sent all sorts of articles of gold, of silver, and of bronze. 11 These also King David dedicated to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he had carried off from all the nations, from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.

12 And Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13 Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.

14 So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people. 15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; and Shavsha was secretary; 17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were the chief officials in the service of the king. – 1 Chronicles 18:1-17 ESV

Chapter 14 ends with the words: “And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.” (1 Chronicles 14:16 ESV). Chapter 18 begins with the words: “After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines” (1 Chronicles 18:1 ESV). Many commentators believe that chapters 15 and 16 are parenthetical and not chronological in nature. They deal with more religious-oriented aspects of David’s reign, while chapters 14 and 18 deal with his military conquests.

Chapter 15 describes David’s efforts to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the city of Jerusalem. Chapter 17 covers God’s giving of His covenant to David. This chapter opens with the words: “Now when David lived in his house…” (1 Chronicles 17:1 ESV). The companion passage in 2 Samuel adds an interesting detail.

Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies…” – 2 Samuel 7:1 ESV

It is that second half of the sentence that leads most Old Testament scholars to believe the covenant was given to David late in his reign after he had ceased from war with the enemies of Israel. Therefore, like chapters 15 and 16, chapter 17 is out of chronological order. These chapters were placed where they are in the story because they provide a spiritual context to David’s reign. They reveal his zeal for and dedication to the Lord, a key motivating force in his military efforts. They also shed light on the real source behind David’s military success: God. That point is made clear in chapter 18.

And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. – 1 Chronicles 18:13 ESV

Chapter 18 picks up where chapter 14 left off. David, as God’s hand-picked king, was finishing what Joshua and the people of Israel should have done when they entered the Promised Land years earlier. God had given them very specific commands regarding their conquest and occupation of the land of Canaan.

“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. – Joshua 1:2-5 NLT

God had told Moses what the people were to do when they entered the land He had promised to Abraham and his descendants, and Moses had passed the words of God on to the people.

“In those towns that the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession, destroy every living thing. You must completely destroy the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, just as the Lord your God has commanded you. This will prevent the people of the land from teaching you to imitate their detestable customs in the worship of their gods, which would cause you to sin deeply against the Lord your God.” – Deuteronomy 20:16-18 NLT

But the people of God had disobeyed and failed to purge the land of its inhabitants. They had been half-hearted in their efforts and allowed the majority of the nations that occupied the land of Canaan to remain. And, just as God had predicted, the people of the land ended up infecting the people of God with their idolatry, immorality, and “detestable customs.” This is what led to the period of the judges. In fact, the opening chapters of the book of Judges reveal exactly what had happened.

 The Lord was with the people of Judah, and they took possession of the hill country. But they failed to drive out the people living in the plains, who had iron chariots. – Judges 1:19 ESV

The tribe of Benjamin, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live in Jerusalem among the people of Benjamin. – Judges 1:21 ESV

The tribe of Manasseh failed to drive out the people living in Beth-shan, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and all their surrounding settlements…  – Judges 1:27 ESV

The tribe of Ephraim failed to drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, so the Canaanites continued to live there among them. – Judges 1:29 ESV

The tribe of Zebulun failed to drive out the residents of Kitron and Nahalol, so the Canaanites continued to live among them. – Judges 1:30 ESV

This pattern of repeated nonfeasance got so bad that God ended up sending an angel to deliver some extremely bad news:

“I brought you out of Egypt into this land that I swore to give your ancestors, and I said I would never break my covenant with you. For your part, you were not to make any covenants with the people living in this land; instead, you were to destroy their altars. But you disobeyed my command. Why did you do this? So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.” – Judges 2:1-3 NLT

Because they refused to do as He commanded, God removed His divine protection. By the time David became king, the situation had grown far worse. Without God’s divine assistance, the Israelites found themselves unable to “weed out” the thorns that surrounded them. These remnant nations proved to be a real threat to Israel’s future as a nation, not just physically but spiritually. Their armies constantly harassed the people of Israel but it was their false gods that did the greatest damage. Idolatry ended up being Israel’s Achilles heal.

So, as the king and commander-in-chief of Israel’s armies, David determined to finish what Joshua had begun. He was going to carry out God’s command and purge the land of these nations and their false gods.

David defeated the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, Edomites, Amalekites, Ammonites, and the armies of Zobah. However, the author makes it clear that David’s military successes were not his own doing. God was giving David victories over his enemies. The very fact that David was forced to fight so many battles reflects just how unsuccessful the Israelites had been in their efforts to rid the land of its inhabitants. Their disobedience had allowed these nations to not only survive but to thrive. They had grown in numbers and strength and were no longer merely an irritant to the people of Israel, but a real threat to their existence. But David was doing everything in his power and with God’s help to subdue and destroy them.

To our modern, more enlightened sensibilities, the content of this chapter can be shocking, even appalling. God’s order for the complete annihilation of the inhabitants of the land of Canaan seems to portray Him as callous and blood-thirsty, with a seemingly capricious outlook on human life. How can the loving, creator-God call for the destruction of entire people groups, including men, women, and innocent children? This question has caused many to doubt the veracity of the Old Testament. It has led others to reject the very idea of God Himself. Richard Dawkins, a proudly professing atheist and staunch opponent of Christianity has described the God of the Bible as, “a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully” (Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion).  He goes on to state, “The tragi-farce of God’s maniacal jealousy against alternative gods recurs continually through the Old Testament.”

For someone like Dawkins, the issue has less to do with the destruction of the people of Canaan, than it does with his desire for proof that the God of the Bible is the fanciful creation of man’s imagination. He simply uses the Old Testament record of God’s call for the destruction of the inhabitants of Canaan as proof that this so-called “God” of the Israelites, even if He did exist, would not be worth following. But he misses the whole point of the story and the true nature of mankind’s tragic situation.

The Bible makes it painfully clear that all men (women and children included) are sinners and stand before God as guilty and worthy of death. Their sins are not viewed as innocent mistakes or simply character flaws but as acts of open rebellion against a holy God. Humanity rejected the rule and reign of God, choosing the path of autonomy and self-rule. This anarchy had to be dealt with and, because God’s holiness consists of justice, He was obligated by His own nature to deal righteously with the sins of men. He could not simply overlook mankind’s rebellion because He recognized that sin, like an infectious disease, is contagious and capable of spreading from one person to another. Like cancer cells in the human body, sin metastasizes and spreads, destroying everything in its path. Sin is non-discriminatory and merciless.

God’s call for the destruction of the inhabitants of the land was based on His understanding of the true danger of indwelling sin. Left unchecked, the sinful dispositions of the unbelieving Canaanites would gradually infect and influence the people of God. According to the Old Testament record, that is exactly what happened. Over time, the people of Israel found themselves abandoning their set-apart status as God’s chosen people and blending in with the surrounding culture. They became just like the nations around them as the cancer of sin spread among them and destroyed their once-healthy relationship with God.

The same thing happens to believers today as we allow the sins of the world to contaminate our lives. Rather than doing radical surgery and removing the sin that so easily entangles us (Hebrews 12:1), we embrace it, welcoming it with open arms. We end up loving the world and the things of the world (1 John 12:15). We become friends with the world, failing to recognize that the world hates us and is out to destroy us (John 15:18-19).

The removal of the sinful influences in our lives is difficult and oftentimes painful. It may require us to abandon those longstanding relationships that are a negative influence on our lives and a threat to our spiritual health. As God’s chosen people, we are expected to live set-apart lives that clearly differentiate our status as His children. This demands that we pull away from those individuals whose influence in our lives is unhealthy and potentially destructive. This may sound radical and even unloving, but it is for our own good.

God doesn’t forbid our association with the world. He doesn’t expect us to live in seclusion, isolating ourselves from the surrounding culture. We are called to be salt and light, agents of influence and change in a sin-darkened world. But we must take sin seriously. We must never compromise our convictions or grow complacent about our calling. David knew just how dangerous sin could be, both externally and internally, and he was willing to do whatever it took to remove both. In Psalm 139, he offers a compelling and heartfelt prayer to God.

O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
    Get out of my life, you murderers!
They blaspheme you;
    your enemies misuse your name.
O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
    Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
    for your enemies are my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life. – Psalm 139:19-24 NLT

But as those living on this side of the cross, we must balance the words of David with those of Jesus. He came to offer a better way. He provided a new weapon in the war against sin: The gospel. That is why He could tell His followers that the key to conquering sin is love.

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you…Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” – Luke 6:27-28, 35-36 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Facing the Giants

/ kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

15 There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. 16 And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.”

18 After this there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants. 19 And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 20 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 21 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, struck him down. 22 These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. – 2 Samuel 21:15-22 ESV

It is impossible to tell from the text at what point these events occurred in David’s reign. It is assumed that they took place in the early days of his kingship, but there is no definitive proof to support that position. As part of the “appendix” to the book, these stories are intended to provide the reader with an overview of David’s reign. As the author wraps up his chronicle of David’s life, he includes these colorful and captivating “snap shots” that capture key moments along the way.

Throughout his years as Israel’s God-appointed leader, David faced ongoing conflicts with the dreaded Philistines. His first encounter with these perennial foes of the Israelites took place in the valley of Elah. King Saul and the Israelite army were camped in the valley of Elah, preparing to face off with the Philistines. David, fresh off his anointing by the prophet of God, showed up at the Israelite camp with orders from his father to check on the welfare of his brothers. David was a young shepherd boy with no military experience, but he was shocked to find the entire Israelite army paralyzed by the threats of a brash and loud-mouthed Philistine named Goliath. This giant of a man had been taunting Saul and his troops, demanding that they send out a worthy opponent to face him in hand-to-hand combat. It would be a winner-takes-all affair with an extremely costly outcome for the losing side; they would be forced to become their enemy’s slaves.

As the story goes, David stepped up and volunteered to take on the giant. His brothers ridiculed him and King Saul doubted him. But, with no other viable options to which to turn, Saul eventually gave David permission to face Goliath. The rest, as they say, is history. David miraculously won the contest with nothing more than a slingshot and five smooth stones. He killed the giant and saved the day. But it seems that the Philistines never kept their end of the agreement. Rather than surrender to the Israelites, they panicked and ran. The Israelites slaughtered many of the Philistines and pillaged their camp, but the conflict between these two nations was far from over.

The closing verses of chapter 21 provide insight into the ongoing war David waged with the Philistines. His victory over Goliath, while epic in nature, did not eliminate the Philistine threat. Even during the years when he was forced to escape the wrath of King Saul, David continued to fight with the Philistines. On two separate occasions, David sought refuge among his mortal enemies in an attempt to escape the armed mercenaries who had been sent by Saul to take his life. Yet David would discover that there was no hope of forming alliances with these sworn enemies of Israel.

Ever since his days as the young shepherd boy, David had been in constant war with the Philistines. And it seems that the Philistines held a special disdain for David because of his defeat of their beloved champion, Goliath. They never forgot how David’s unexpected victory had rallied the Israelite army and turned the tide of the battle. Over the years, their hatred for David only intensified and their attacks on the Israelites increased. In this chapter, the author introduces us to four of Goliath’s big-boned relatives who made the defeat of the Israelites a personal matter.

There was Ishbi-benob, Saph, Goliath, and another unidentified man who was born with 12 toes and 12 fingers. Each of these men was larger than life, both literally and figuratively, and posed a real threat to David and the nation of Israel. But they fell at the hands of David’s men. Their massive size and formidable weapons were no match for the mighty men of David. But why? It would be tempting to make this all about the four men who accomplished these mighty deeds on behalf of David and the nation of Israel: Abishai, Sibbecai, Elhanan, and Jonathan.

Chapter 23 will even introduce us to the “mighty men of David,” a select group of individuals who displayed almost supernatural military prowess. But rather than put our focus on these men, we should immediately recognize the hand of God. The victories of Israel over the Philistines and their seemingly endless line of champions were due to God, not the efforts of these men. Yes, they had to fight. They were required to go into battle against superior adversaries and risk life and limb, but their victory was due to God, not themselves. Verse 22 states, “These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.” But once again, their victories were made possible by God. The author’s emphasis on each Philistine’s larger-than-normal size and bigger-than-usual weapons is meant to paint a picture of impossible odds. Yet, David’s men came out victorious.

It’s interesting to note that the author claims that these Philistines “fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.” Yet, it doesn’t appear that David played any part in the deaths of these four Philistine champions. In fact, out of concern for his safety, David’s men forbade him from accompanying them in battle.

“You are not going out to battle with us again! Why risk snuffing out the light of Israel?” – 2 Samuel 21:17 NLT

But because of his role as king, David is given credit for the deaths of these Philistine warriors. His faithful and fearless warriors fought on his behalf and gladly shared with him the glory of their victories.

Once again, it is unclear when all these duels between David’s men and the Philistines took place. It doesn’t appear that they occurred at the same time or in one epic battle. These were ongoing encounters between the disgruntled relatives of Goliath who longed to avenge the legacy of their fallen family member. The text makes it clear that these were not normal foes; they were “descended from the giants” (2 Samuel 21:20 ESV). The Hebrew word translated as “giants” is Rephaim, but its etymology is unclear. “Whatever the origin of the Rephaim, it is certain that a race of ‘giants’ — strong, tall people—did exist at one time, and many cultures had dealings with them” (“Who Were the Rephaim” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/who-were-the-rephaim.html).

Regardless of the genetic background of these men, the vital point of the story is their defeat at the hands of David’s men. But these victories over seemingly supernatural foes are really the handiwork of God Almighty. Even in his defeat of Goliath, David knew that his success had been God’s doing and not his own. Even as David faced off with Goliath in the valley of Elah, he warned his foe, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!” (2 Samuel 17:45-46 NLT).

David’s reign would be marked by war and his battles against the enemies of Israel would never end. This perpetual state of warfare was the direct result of Israel’s failure to obey God and rid the land of all its inhabitants. Centuries earlier, under the leadership of Joshua, they had been ordered by God to eradicate all the pagan people groups that occupied the land that was to be their inheritance. Their partial obedience to God’s command had allowed nations like the Philistines to remain alive and well in the land. As a result, David was left with the task of finishing what Joshua had begun, and his battles would last the entirety of his reign. It would be his son Solomon who would reign over a kingdom marked by peace. But David’s tenure as king would be one of constant war and bloodshed. Yet God would be with him and that is the message found within these verses.

What should really stand out is God’s unwavering faithfulness in the face of so much unfaithfulness on the part of David and the people of Israel. David’s victories were the result of God’s grace and mercy, and not because David was a faithful and fully obedient servant. David didn’t earn or deserve his success as a military commander. He didn’t merit the expansion of his kingdom. God was blessing him in spite of him. Time and time again, David failed God in sometimes epic fashion. But God remained faithful to His promises to David. It would have been easy for the men of David to make much of their individual successes. They could have, and probably did, brag about their victories over superior enemies. But the message for us is one of dependence upon God. Our victories are His doing. Our successes are His alone. We are only as great as our God. To be victorious we must understand that our God is glorious.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

No Enemy Too Great

/ kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22 And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. 23 As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.

24 All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. 25 And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” 26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.”

28 Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” 29 And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” 30 And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way, and the people answered him again as before. – 1 Samuel 17:19-30 ESV

The scene described in these verses could almost be considered comical if not for the serious nature of its implications. For 40 days, the two powerful armies went through the usual preparations for war, donning their armor, and lining up on opposite ends of the battlefield, As they stood facing one another, they would rattle their spears and shout their war cries but no shots were ever fired. Like two adolescent boys attempting to intimidate one another, they blustered and postured their way into a daily standoff. But each morning and evening, like clockwork, the Philistine giant Goliath made his way into the middle of the two armies and shouted his challenge for a one-on-one cage match between himself and any Israelite willing to face him.

Day after day, this demoralizing scene took place with the same disappointing results. Not a single Israelite was willing to risk his life against the Philistine champion because the odds of success were stacked against them. Samuel, the book’s author, spends a great deal of time providing details regarding Goliath’s vitals.

He was over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield. – 1 Samuel 17:4-7 NLT

There has been much debate over the accuracy of the numbers involved in Samuel’s description, leading some theologians to question just how tall Goliath was. But it’s safe to assume he was an imposing figure whose massive size struck fear into the hearts of the Israelites. Every time he stood before the Israelites and issued his challenge, their reaction was the same: “All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid” (1 Samuel 17:24 ESV).

David, sent by his father with provisions for his brothers, arrived on the scene just in time to witness this daily event. David couldn’t believe his eyes and eagerly asked for someone to explain what was happening. Why was no one accepting the Philistine’s challenge? How could the Israelites stand there and allow this godless pagan to mercilessly mock them?

To make matters worse, David was informed that King Saul had offered a sizeable reward to any Israelite who would step up and defeat Goliath.

“The king has offered a huge reward to anyone who kills him. He will give that man one of his daughters for a wife, and the man’s entire family will be exempted from paying taxes!” – 1 Samuel 17:25 NLT

Essentially, the king was offering to pay someone to do his job. As the leader of Israel’s army, he was the obvious one to take on the Philistine challenger but Saul refused to do so. Yet, his tempting offer of riches and renown had produced no takers. While the reward was great, it had proved to be an insufficient incentive to entice anyone to risk life and limb against Goliath. But David saw things a bit differently. The riches offered by the king were secondary to him; the real issue was the honor of Israel and, by extension, God’s reputation.

“What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” – 1 Samuel 17:26 NLT

They were the people of God and had the power of the Almighty on their side. David couldn’t fathom how they could stand there day after day and allow this uncircumcised pagan to taunt them and their God. Their fear was proof of their lack of faith and their failure to fight was evidence of their limited view of God.

But there is something interesting going on in this scene that is often overlooked. The men who comprised the army of Israel were there unwillingly; they had been conscripted by Saul. He had formed his army by enforcing a mandatory draft just as God had warned would happen. When the Israelites demanded that Samuel give them a king like all the other nations, God had the prophet inform them of the consequences of their request.

“This is how a king will reign over you,” Samuel said. “The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers, making them run before his chariots. Some will be generals and captains in his army, some will be forced to plow in his fields and harvest his crops, and some will make his weapons and chariot equipment. The king will take your daughters from you and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him.” – 1 Samuel 8:11-13 NLT

Even Goliath recognized what was going on. When he issued his challenge, he was very specific in how he addressed the troops of Israel.

“Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul.” – 1 Samuel 17:8 NLT

In questioning why they were all there, Goliath was appealing to their own feelings of regret and anger at being forced into the king’s service. These were not professional soldiers and Goliath sarcastically refers to them as “servants” of Saul. The Hebrew word he used is `ebed and it was commonly used to refer to one who was the slave of another. His use of this word was intended to cause the Israelites to turn on Saul, their commander, and force him to step up and do what needed to be done. This was his battle, not theirs. In demanding that the Israelites choose one man to come out and fight him, Goliath was challenging their king.

Saul knew Goliath’s daily taunts were aimed at him. This helps to explain Saul’s later attempt to get David to wear his armor when he goes out to face Goliath. On the off chance that David succeeded, it might appear that Goliath was defeated by Saul. If David should lose, it left Saul without his armor and free to blend into the troops when the Philistines came to find him.

But even Saul could find no incentive to face the giant. His own personal reputation was not enough to make him risk life and limb by standing up to the Philistine champion. Even Eliab, David’s oldest brother, was angered to see him there. He jumped all over David, accusing him of neglecting the flocks and his duties just so he could witness the battle. But Eliab’s emotional outburst was most likely driven by embarrassment and shame. He too had failed to step forward and accept the challenge, and now his youngest brother was witnessing his own spinelessness firsthand. But even personal shame was not enough to make Eliab step forward and face Goliath. From the king down to the cooks, no one could muster the motivation to do the impossible, except David. Yet David’s actions would not be incentivized by the offer of a reward but by Goliath’s reproach of the armies of the living God.

David had a high view of God and believed Him to be alive and active in the affairs of His people. This lofty perspective of Jehovah would become a recurring theme in David’s psalms. His God was not a distant and disconnected deity who was absent from the everyday lives of His people. He was not some lifeless idol sitting on a shelf but a living and active God who was ready, willing, and able to step in and deliver His people from their greatest difficulties.

The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation. – Psalm 18:46 ESV

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. – Psalm 42:2 ESV

David’s God was living, not dead. His God was active, not absent. His God’s power was greater than that of the Philistines or that of their champion. David was about to prove that what was missing in this scenario was not a powerful man to defeat Goliath, but a faithful man who believed in the power of God.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Headed in the Right Direction

/ kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

1 Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” 2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.” 3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” 4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people, and all the people wept aloud.

5 Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. 6 And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. 7 He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. 8 When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. 9 And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. 10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” 11 And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

12 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. – 1 Samuel 11:1-15 ESV

This chapter chronicles Saul’s first official act as king of Israel. After his somewhat disappointing debut at Mizpah, Saul returned home to his former way of life. There was no royal procession or coronation party. He didn’t assemble an administration or draw up plans for constructing his palace. In fact, Saul did none of the things that God said would happen if they got a king.

“The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers, making them run before his chariots. Some will be generals and captains in his army, some will be forced to plow in his fields and harvest his crops, and some will make his weapons and chariot equipment. The king will take your daughters from you and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him. He will take away the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his own officials. He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants. He will take your male and female slaves and demand the finest of your cattle and donkeys for his own use. He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you will be his slaves.” – 1 Samuel 8:11-17 NLT

According to this chapter, rather than conscripting Israelites, collecting taxes, and setting up his kingdom, Saul was back on the family farmstead doing chores. Despite his previous anointing by Samuel and his public presentation as God’s hand-picked king, it was business as usual for Saul. In recent days, this young man had gone through some truly life-changing experiences, but little had really changed. He was still the same man and knew nothing better than to do the same things he had done before. But in a matter of moments, he would find himself thrust into the limelight again; this time in his new role as king.

But while Saul was busy plowing, the enemies of Israel were plotting. This chapter opens up with a rather abrupt introduction to Nahash the Ammonite who, for some reason, picked this particular moment to besiege the town of Jabesh-gilead. It’s impossible to know if Nahash’s actions were motivated by news that Israel had a new king. Perhaps he chose to mobilize his forces before Saul had time to set up his kingdom and consolidate the 12 tribes of Israel. At this point, each tribe was on their own and was forced to defend themselves against enemy attacks. So, Nahash ordered his siege on Jabesh-gilead, located on the eastern side of the Jordan River in the territory of Gad, knowing that his chances of success were high.

Another possible motivating factor behind Nahash’s decision is recorded in the Book of Judges. During the time when Israel was ruled by God-appointed judges, the Ammonites proved to be a persistent problem. This Semitic people group was made up of the descendants of Lot, the nephew of Israelite’s great patriarch, Abraham. The Ammonites, the byproduct of Lot’s incestuous relationship with his younger daughter, had settled in the region around the Jordan River, which served as the western border to the territory of Gad. According to Judges 11, “the Ammonites made war against Israel” (Judges 11:5 ESV). In response to this threat, the elders of Gilead called on Jephthah, a great warrior from the town of Mizpah of Gilead. This son of a prostitute led Israel into battle against their enemies and God gave him a great victory.

So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the Lord gave them into his hand. And he struck them from Aroer to the neighborhood of Minnith, twenty cities, and as far as Abel-keramim, with a great blow. So the Ammonites were subdued before the people of Israel. – Judges 11:32-33 ESV

Nahash was likely seeking revenge for this earlier Ammonite defeat at the hands of Jephthah the Gileadite. But whatever the reason, Nahash besieged Jabesh-gilead, forcing its inhabitants to negotiate for a peaceful treaty. But the terms of that treaty proved to be unacceptable.

Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.” – 1 Samuel 11:2 ESV

Having successfully negotiated a seven-day cease-fire, the people of Jabesh-gilead sent word to the rest of the tribes of Israel, hoping that reinforcements would arrive to rescue them from their predicament.

When the news reached Saul, he embraced his role as king and summoned the people of Israel to battle. But the text makes it clear that his actions were the result of the Spirit’s empowerment, not his own strength or initiative.

Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry. He took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the messengers to carry them throughout Israel with this message: “This is what will happen to the oxen of anyone who refuses to follow Saul and Samuel into battle!” – 1 Samuel 11:6-7 NLT

This was a God-ordained opportunity for Saul to demonstrate that his divine commissioning had been real and not a fluke. He was about to make the unlikely transition from farmer to deliverer – all under the power of the Spirit of God.

What Saul does next seems rather strange to our modern sensibilities, but it has precedence. Judges 19 records the story of the rape and murder of a young woman who was the concubine of a Levite. She met her fate in the town of Gibeah, Saul’s hometown. The Levite, who had been passing through Gibeah on his way home, responded to the young woman’s murder by dismembering her body and sending the pieces to the various tribes of Israel. He demanded revenge against the men of Gibeah who had committed this atrocity. The 11 other tribes answered the call, resulting in a brief civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the rest of the tribes of Israel.

It’s likely that Saul had this story in mind when he slaughtered his own oxen and sent the pieces to the tribes of Israel. He was calling the people to unify and confront the enemy together. With God’s help, his grizzly message had its intended effect.

…the Lord made the people afraid of Saul’s anger, and all of them came out together as one. – 1 Samuel 11: NLT

More than 33,000 Israelite warriors showed up at Jabesh-gilead and their rout of the Ammonites was complete. Nahash and his troops were slaughtered or scattered to the four winds. And the people of Israel took this resounding victory as proof of Saul’s calling. He had led them in battle against the Ammonites and proven himself an effective leader and military strategist. Any lingering doubts about Saul’s calling were gone and the people voiced their unified confidence in their new king.

“Now where are those men who said, ‘Why should Saul rule over us?’ Bring them here, and we will kill them!” – 1 Samuel 11:12 NLT

But rather than seek vengeance on his detractors, Saul called for peace and a commitment to build a kingdom that would unify all the tribes as one.

“Come, let us all go to Gilgal to renew the kingdom.” – 1 Samuel 11:14 NLT

Chapter 11 ends on a decisively upbeat note.

So they all went to Gilgal, and in a solemn ceremony before the Lord they made Saul king. Then they offered peace offerings to the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites were filled with joy. – 1 Samuel 11:15 NLT

Things were looking up in Israel but, as the next chapter will reveal, this utopia would be short-lived if the people failed to honor God. Having a king was not going to solve all their problems. One man was not going to revitalize the spiritual state of an entire nation. Samuel will make it abundantly clear that if the people of Israel want to see their new kingdom last, they must honor God, not Saul. Future victory would be tied to their faithfulness to Yahweh. If they wanted to see their king succeed and their nation prosper, they would need to live in submission and obedience to the one true King.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.