2 Samuel 13:23-39 - Absalom Takes Justice Into His Own Hands

2 Samuel 13:23-39

And Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "See now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I sat to you, 'Strike Amnon,' then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant." (verse 28)

Message: Absalom Takes Justice Into His Own Hands

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: It is 2 years later from the days of Amnon's selfish ways in raping his half-sister and then discarding her like a plaything or trash. Obviously, in that time frame David has done nothing. The picture of David here is not good. Once again, he mostly just stands by and doesn't do anything. 

This passage is rather simple. Absalom, his sister's brother, has a plan to have people go to sheep shearing in Baalhazor -- Absalom's property is probably not far (less than 10 miles) from Jerusalem. Sheep shearing was a usual occasion for feasting and holiday keeping. He invites David, the king, but he knows he will not go. With the king not going, he asks that Amnon, the oldest son and heir apparent represent David at the feast. David asks why but Absalom presses him further and he agrees. 

Though Absalom plans it out, he doesn't carry it out but instead gets his servants involved. By doing this, he always sets himself up to be the heir to the throne. He has the servants approach Amnon when he is "merry with wine" or least suspecting anything. He is killed and afterwards the servants flee and their communication to David about the event is an exaggeration as it includes a reference that it is all of David's sons. Thinking it is all his sons, David tore his clothes, but Jonadab gives David accurate information that it is only Amnon that has died. 

Absalom fled. The other sons showed up and David saw that they were still alive. David mourned for his son Amnon's death. Absalom fled and left the country for 3 years. David longed to see him.

Summary: 2 years after Amnon rapes Tamar, Absalom avenges her death by killing Amnon, first getting him drunk but then he flees for 3 years. 

Promise: When leaders do not deal with injustice quickly and rightly, all sorts of problems ensue.

Prayer: God, David does some great things, but then our text here also mentions several not so great things. I suppose I am amazed at the bloodshed in this book. I am amazed of the people you guide and those that you don't. Right now, in our world there are wars going on. There is one going on right now that involves the US with Iran. I think of my friend Shiva that I have not spoken to a while and knowing someone, I hope she is safe. Protect her. Protect people and may this country surrender and keep peace in the middle east.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

2 Samuel 13:1-22 - Like Father, Like Son

2 Samuel 13:1-22

But Absalom did not speak to Ammon either good or bad, for Absalom hated Ammon because he had violated his sister Tamar. (verse 22)

Message: Like Father, Like Son

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 11 was David's sin chapter. Chapter 12 talks of David repenting and some of consequences of that sin. But also some good things that occurred. And now Chapter 13 turns to another unfortunate situation. 

In addition to 4 sons that David had in Solomon, Amnon, Adonijah, and Absalom there were daughters as well and verse 1 mentions one of the daughters - Tamar but then also how one of the brothers loved her. It seems to be about 15 years into David's reign. My commentary says that Amnon did not know where Tamar lived and this frustrated him. Verse 3 mentions a shrewd friend Amnon had named Jonadah. He approaches Amnon and mentions being in love with Absalom's sister. These family members are most likely half-siblings because of the fact David had multiple wives, thus the scripture refers to Tamar as the brother of Absalom. 

Jonadab sets up a caper where Amnon will be ill and ask for David to send Tamar to care for him. Tamar most likely has a skill for cookery even though this was not necessary as the King's daughter and so the caper includes her coming with her cakes to feed them to Amnon so as to make him well. She didn't take the cakes in that room but instead Amnon wanted her to go to the bedroom. When she did, he wanted her to lie with him. Tamar knew this was disgraceful and said she would not. But Amnon was stronger than her and although he asked the question, his intent was still clear to lie with her and he did. 

Then he hated her. After you take hold of your sin, regret stirs up in you. Now Amnon fears the consequences. Sin seems so good at first but then something happens afterwards and it no longer feels good to do it. Regret hits us after we have achieved what we want. The act was horrible toward Tamar but now Amnon wants nothing to do with her. Amnon is treating her like trash. 

Tamar has ashes and tears her long robe to signify the shame she is experiencing. This reminds me of that phrase "Wear your heart on your sleeve" that means to openly and transparently display your emotions, feelings, and affections rather than hiding them. Our emotions often are hidden but Tamar and others openly show their emotions by tearing their clothing. 

Because of the sin Absalom hated his brother Amnon. 

The man is supposed to be head of his household. With many wives and children, David was in a position to not really know what is going on in his household. It seems that possibly the wives and their respective children lived different places. David could have intervened and halted some of this, but instead he did not, possibly having other things going on. This is one of the dangers of polygamy and multiple families. David was chosen as a man after God's own heart, but clearly he has leadership of his family problems while being a good king and warrior. 

Amnon's sin seems even greater than David because of the way he disposes of Tamar after lying with her. The other lesson here is that sin and the temptation of it needs to have some sort of check and balance and not just a free for all. We have thoughts, but they need to be corrected because not all of our thoughts are good. David needed to take responsibility of this with Amnon. 

Summary: David's son Amnon desires his half-brother's sister and with the help of his cousin deceives his father to allowing Tamar to come to him and then he lies with her and discards her. 

Promise: We must fight against sin so that we discern right from wrong better over time.

Prayer: Lord, you are holy and your ways are just. We are people that need correction and accountability. I need it. Thank you again for the men and people in my life that have corrected my behavior and been that check for me against my thoughts. Keep being a tutor for me. And mend those that have gotten off track. Help me to recognize the evil in my children's ways and to say something when I sense your leading. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

2 Samuel 3 - Abner's Negotiations with David

2 Samuel 3

May God do so to Abner, and more also, if as the Lord has sworn to David, I do not accomplish this for him, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba. (verse 9-10)

Message: Abner's Negotiations with David

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: In the previous chapter, David was anointed king over Judah but Abner wasn't ready to accept this and instead made Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, king. The servants of Ish-bosheth and servants of David get into a conflict with the servants of David prevailing. Asahel, one of the sons of Zeruiah (half-sister to David) died in the battle. Thus, at the beginning of chapter 3 is now "a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David" and "David grew steadily stronger." David's sons are mentioned now, first born Ammon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijab, Shephatiah, and Ithream - all born from different women, thus David has now at least 7 wives, as Michal is not mentioned here. 

Abner has taken Saul's concubine, much to the anger of Ish-bosheth and is confronted by Ish-bosheth. Abner does not take the confrontation well, as he believes he has done much good for Ish-bosheth, resulting in Ish-bosheth being afraid of Abner (v. 6-11). 

Abner works to negotiate now with David, wanting a covenant with him. David wants Michal in return. Ish-bosheth gets her from her current husband. (v.12-16)

Abner asks the house of Israel to now go stand before David, with him as king. Abner comes to David in Hebron to have a feast with him. Meanwhile the servants of David and Joab come with spoils from a raid. Joab learns of Abner's arrival and is bothered, knowing that Abner is out to deceive David. (v. 17-25). 

Joab then sneakily kills Abner, meeting up with him. Joab is still mad about the death of his brother Asahel. David then tells Joab to tear his clothes on behalf of this death. Abner was buried in Hebron with David weeping at his grave. David offers a lament for Abner: "Should Abner die as a fool dies? Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put in fetters; as one falls before the wicked, you have fallen." Abner died at the hands of vengeance. There had been no legal process. David remarks, "May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil." 

David has every reason to be not angry at Joab for killing Abner for Abner had slain a relative of his, but just as he did with Saul, he upheld Abner. In some ways his last sentence could have been what Joab did in killing Abner, but the motives of Joab were wrong and his purpose was not to do the Lord's will and glorify God. Our intentions matter. Our hearts matter. Why we do what we do is as important as what we do, if not more. 

In response to Saul as compared to David, I Samuel 16:7 says, "But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Summary: Ish-bosheth servants and David's are in conflict. After David makes a covenant with Abner, Joab shows up and has vengeance on Abner for killing his brother. David laments Abner's death.

Promise: Let us seek His kingdom, not our own advancement within it.

Prayer: Lord, I remember how Abner recognized Your anointing on David and chose to act by making a covenant with David. Give me courage to align myself with what is right, even if it requires change. Help me turn from old alliances that no longer honor You. Protect me from bitterness and revenge. When Joab acted out of personal vengeance, it brought sorrow and consequences. Deliver me from acting in anger. Teach me to entrust justice to You. God of compassion, I see David’s grief over Abner. Give me a heart that mourns wrongdoing and loss, even when it involves those who were once opponents. Make me a leader — in my home, my workplace, my community — who responds with integrity and mercy. You establish leaders. You bring down and raise up according to Your will. Let my life be built not on power or politics, but on faithfulness to You.

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 26 - David Spares Saul Again

I Samuel 26

David also said, "As the Lord lives, surely the Lord will strike him, or this day will that he dies, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let us go." (Verse 10-11)

Message: David Spares Saul Again

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Times have changed. Instead of David being the fugitive, now it feels like it has shifted over to Saul. And yet, as it looked like David had been reprieved of Saul attacking him, once again, here, at the beginning of this chapter Saul seems to be pursuing David again. 

Saul learns that David is in the wilderness of Ziph. "David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming" (verse 4). David approaches the place where Saul has camped. Abishai goes down with David to the camp. Abishai lets David know that David the Lord (maybe) has delivered Saul into his hand and Abishai is ready to strike, just say the word. But David once again says he is not to "stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed." If he does, "surely the Lord wills strike him" that does that.

Once again, God provides. His sovereign hand is at work here, as it has been. So many times did David escape Saul's wrath and yet now at this moment, David listens to God and Saul is spared. David knows better. He knows that in due time Saul will die but David is not going to be the one to force this. There is a lesson here to learn. I need to wait on God and he will carry out the outcome on people's lives. No matter how I might believe that person is worthy of death, we are to wait on Him. This life is really short in comparison to eternity. 

David then confronts Abner, Saul's commander leader letting him now that Saul was left unguarded and if not him, someone else could have taken Saul. David not only spares Saul but ensures that he is protected. 

Saul recognizes David's voice. Saul is concerned that David is coming against him. Saul says, "I have sinned. Return, my son David for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day." (v. 21).  David went on his way and Saul remained at his place. 

Summary: Saul begins to pursued David again, but God allows David to come upon Saul sleeping and David spares Saul's life, trusting instead in God to take care of Saul in his time. Saul and David part ways.

Promise: God is always working for our good. 

Prayer: Lord God, you are sovereign over all in this world and my world. You make things to work out for your glory. You weave this world in the palm of your hand and I can trust in You. I will trust You. I will surrender to You and trust You continually. I will wait and pray and ask You to have mercy on people's live and lean further on You throughout my days here on this earth. My hope is in you and I thank you for rooting that hope in me. Lord, at times, I know I can get swayed by other people and their thoughts, even as I converse with folks online about different beliefs. I am now challenged at times. I pray for strength, for Your strength to be rooted in me always. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 25 - Abigail Saves David

I Samuel 25

Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me, and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand." (Verse 32-33)

Message: Abigail Saves David

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: This chapter opens up with the mention of Samuel dying and his burial in verse 1. 

Then is a new story of a man in Maon which had been mentioned previously in 23:24 as a place David had fled. Maon and Engedi (ch. 24) are a distance of about 15 miles. In this place Maon lives Nabal and his wife Abigail. Nabal is rich. He was harsh and evil in his dealings. His wife very beautiful. A contrast here is shown - one who is tough and one who has a beautiful countenance. (v.1-3)

David hears that Nabal is shearing his sheep. Often following the shearing was a big meal. David sends me to Nabal with a favorable greeting to him: "Have a long life, peace be to you..." In times of feasting men are most vulnerable to attack and it is mentioned that they have not been insulted. And so the men send by David simply ask that if anything is left at this time that it be given to them (v. 4-8)

Nabal did not respond to this well. He assumed these men had run away from their master. He has nothing to share. So David's men went back to tell David of this. David's response seems to be one of anger, girding his men with their swords to go back to Nabal. (v.8-13)

Abigail, Nabal's wife, hears of what is going on that "David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, and he scorned them" from one of the men of David's group. In response, Abigail puts together our large amount of bread and wine, not telling her husband Nabal. David proclaims again what has occurred (v. 21-22), a sort of summary. (14-22)

Abigail comes before David and bows down. She admits the folly of her husband and states that she would have greeted them different if she had seen them. She brings a gift to the young men and asks, "Please forgive the transgression of your maidservant." Abigail sees what is going on and asks for peace. "When the Lord shall deal well with my lord, then remember your maidservant." (v. 23-31).

David responds to Abigail with gratitude - blessing her discernment and keeping them from bloodshed. He "have listened to you and granted your request." Abigail went to her husband to tell him. At first, he did not understand because he was drunk, but once he got sober his heart sank. And from this he died 10 days later. David is thankful and Blesses the Lord. The evildoing has landed back on Nabal and now he asks for Abigail to be his wife. Abigail responded bringing with her maidservants to be his wife. The text mentions also taking Ahinoam as a wife. Meanwhile Michal, David's wife, is given to another - Palti. Thus the separation between Saul and David is clear. (v. 32-44). 

David's response to Nabal is not exemplary. If anything, it is similar to the way that Saul would have responded, fighting fire with fire. David was not perfect. Abigail interceded and prevented this bloodbath from happening and David responding by taking the beautiful woman as his wife. But she would be only one of his wives as he would have man. 

Summary: David sends men to Nabal's camp in hopes of receiving something while he is having a feast. But they are rejected. Nabal's wife Abigail intercedes and prevents a bloodbath. Nabal dies and Abigail becomes one of David's wife. 

Promise: The Lord spares us from ourselves.

Prayer: Lord, you are gracious. Pride and vengeance rises in us at times, but thank you for diffusing situations and bringing forth your providence of grace. You are a great God of mercy. Thank you for working in people's lives to bring about your good purposes. Be glorified. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 20:22 - Awaiting God's Deliverance

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

Message: Awaiting God's Deliverance

Time: King Solomon is the principal writer of Proverbs. Solomon's proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations, too. It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon's attention. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings.

What the Lord is Saying: I notice in life that I desire people to get what I think they deserve. I hate how I actually enjoy seeing acquaintances struggle or have difficulty. Granted, I don't want them to be poor. And there is also something in me that likes seeing a person suffer. Like Tiger Woods, who cheated on his wife for many nears, then got found out. Ever since, he has struggled with his golf game. Granted, there are other reasons, but there is some sense of justice in me that likes the fact that he is struggling. 

I have a just God. He is fair. And at times, I also want to be the judge. But, in this scripture, I see the admonition that I need to wait. I need to wait for the Lord. It is not for me to repay evil. God will save me. 

Now, I think this verse speaks of someone wronging me. It could be singling out a mistake I've made at work, which happens. It could be saying something that infers that I am not doing my job, which happens at work and even happens at home. I know that I am hypersensitive to criticism. In those moments, I want to speak out. I want to defend myself. I want to basically say, "I'm not taking that from you." I do this. I actually wonder here if the very act of getting defensive is a mechanism in me to want to repay evil. I basically am thinking, "You're wrong."  

And then I often struggle with anger when someone doesn't get what I think is coming to them. I need to work on not being so sensitive. 

Promise: If I trust in the Lord for vengeance and pray that He will make me patient with sinners just as He is patient with sinners, the Spirit will enable me not to seek vengeance when it is not appropriate to do so. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this instruction. I see now how quick I am to defend myself. I see how quickly I feel someone attacking me and how quickly I want them to experience my wrath. Lord, help me to wait on You. Help me Lord to let you take care of the situation. I want to believe this God. I want to believe that You are in control and act upon it in my life. 

Romans 13:4b - The Government and the Sword

Romans 13:4b - But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

Message: The government's vocation is to carry the sword (badge) and execute God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:


Doing wrong
It seems that the primary role of government--found here in these verses--is to uphold good. The Scripture says, "but if you do wrong, be afraid." We must uphold the rules of our society and if we do wrong in our own accord, we should not be surprised of the penalty. This is the essence of these verses. Yet, we are not to submit to the government when they uphold terror or do things that are contrary to the word of God.

The sword or badge
The passage also says, "for he does not bear the sword in vain." The sword in this verse is similar to a badge that a sheriff would wear. The badge is emblematic, informing people of the authority of the person wearing it. Now I remember watching movies--westerns--where the sheriffs wore this badge and yet was on the side of evil. That was one of the tensions in the movie. And this is a tension in life sometimes because we half to decipher what good and evil are.

The tension in our society today
This issue of homosexuality and gay marriage is something that is difficult to decipher. Our government is moving more and more toward a leadership that upholds this as good. And yet, at one level, what they are intending to do or the outcome is often one of fairness by simply allowing the citizens to share in the benefits, such as tax benefits, afforded other married people. So on the one hand that doesn't appear to be something that is evil. But in so doing it communicates a message of approving the citizens choice for these unnatural relationships.

So the government that we are commanded to uphold now in these verses is moving more and more toward upholding things that conflict with the Bible (and yet there is even discussion now that these verses have different meaning today). In some ways right and wrong, 100 years ago, was more clearly defined. But now with the ever increasing rights of each person and the affirmation of the individuality of each person, the application of this verse seems to get tougher.

People should see the badge or the sword and its authority and desire to keep the law just by that viewing of authority, even if there was no other motive.

Exacting vengeance
In verse 4, it states that the one who is in authority is "the servant of God, and avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." The Scripture says, "vengeance is Mine, declares the Lord" and yet God appoints government to carry out wrath on the wrongdoer. But now in this world in which right and wrong becomes more blurry, men start not seeing the government carrying out wrath on the wrongdoer but instead see the need to do it themselves.

I see this type of thinking present everywhere. I see this in movies when a father's child is kidnapped and rather than waiting for the government/law/police he wants to take matters into his own hands and the movie often even paints the picture that if the person would have waited for the law the matter would not have resolved and life would not have been spared. I see this in my job when a coworker does something that I don't like, rather than waiting for my boss to do something, I take vengeance into my own hands. Why do I do this? Often it is because (1) I am inpatient and don't want to wait for my boss, (2) but it is also because my boss does not execute vengeance in the manner in which I want it done. I see this in life when a courts decision is not to punish an offender because they get off on a technicality and so people take the matter into their own hands. Recently, there has been an eruption of police officers getting shot because the courts did not execute vengeance upon these officers in the way the people wanted and so "an Oxbow Incident" erupts.

It is interesting because I even see this in the TV shows that we watch. I see this in shows like Hawaii 5O, a special task force is assigned by the governor, and this task force often carries out wrath on the wrongdoer in ways that are not in line with the laws, but we like it because the person is 'getting what they deserve.' Chicago PD is another show that does this because criminals with the use of lawyers and their inalienable rights have figured out how to get around the law so the Chicago PD officers threaten or use excessive violence in order to save a person. It is subtle but authority is continually being compromised.

Conclusion
And so being a Christian and upholding these verses makes us look even more backwards to society and our peers. Reading and studying God's word is a challenge. How much more do we need the fellowship with one another, the talking about these verses and prayer.

Promise: God's promise and his plan is correct. The state is to uphold good and carry out wrath on the wrongdoer. 

Romans 12:19-20 - Leaving Vengeance to the Lord

Romans 12:19-20  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Message: Vengeance is an outcome; leave outcomes to God; take care of people as that is my role here on earth.

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

Background
I was speaking to someone yesterday in church and we were reminded of how Paul grounds us in truth. And we must be grounded in truth before we can understand application. And it is interesting how I so often want to know how this applies to me, but I must first look at how it is defined. And Paul in Romans spent 11 chapters laying the groundwork and then follows it with 5 chapters of application. Doctrine and application work together. 

This is a chapter of service. Paul sets the tone in verse 1 and 2 by encouraging the person in Christ to present themselves before God. Our service to others is an act of worship. We praise God through our good deeds in serving others. Is it fair to say that if we truly lived our lives in constant service to others that there would be no need for selfish behavior? Selfishness is often a byproduct of not getting what we think we deserve.  

Paul has dealt with our thought life (verse 3), our acts of service (verse 4-8), our authentic behavior as members of Christ's kingdom (verse 9), our desires-for good (verse 9), our devotion to our brothers (verse 10), perseverance and hospitality (verse 12, 13), our attitude toward those who have selfish motives and take it out on us (verse 14), our empathy (verse 15), our feeling of superiority because of all the preceding verses, if we do them, and our position in Christ (verse 16)), our attitude to those who want evil for us (verse 17) and our disposition with all people (verse 18). 

Revenge is in God's Hands
Now in verse 19, we are commanded to not try to get even with a person that has done us wrong. I think the bottom line in this verse is trust. Do I trust God in light of the evil that has been done toward me? Even though all the voices around me are telling me to fight back, do I trust God for His outcome in that person's life? 

I think the problem with this is we want to be seen as the victor. We want this victory for ourselves, but we also want to be seen by others, that everyone sees that in the end, I was right. All those TV shows that we watch where the bad person does an act that hurts another person and the police person shows up and gives the idea, "They will get what is coming to them." Yes, we need to punish evil in this life. But, not for the benefit of ourselves or the person that has been wronged but because evil is evil. 

But rather meet his needs
Instead of revenge, verse 20 offers that we are to help meet the needs of the person that has wronged you. This will make the person realize he has been silly in committing deeds of evil. 

Easier said than done. In the moment, this is hard. It is hard because everything in the world has us reacting in a different manner. We are trained to frustrate our offender.  

Unfortunately, I see myself doing this in too many ways, but mostly to the people that I love the most: my family. But, mostly my kids. They do something out of disrespect, and I take an offense to this and rather than being diplomatic I want to get even. This is a hard line for me to draw. What isn't revenge and what is instead punishment? 

Promise: God calls us to trust Him to set things right.

 

Romans 12:16-17 - Harmonious Living

Romans 12:16-17 - Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

Message: Do not be self-focused, but thing about others and what is best for them.

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

I continue to walk rather slowly through these marks of what it means to be a Christian. As is Paul's custom throughout this book, he repeats. There are similar ideas here in some of these phrases, and yet differences. 

Be of the same mind toward one another
This is an interesting phrase to me. I am to live in harmony with other people. If Paul is mentioning this here, like this, then my guess is this is not necessarily natural. It is tragic because, on the surface, it appears that many Christians do not live like this toward other people. Instead, I see a policeman mentality so much of the time with ministers of the gospel policing what is truth. It seems like Christians become the judge in society for what should be right and wrong. Is that our role? Are we to take on an offensive attitude? Yes, we are to defend our faith, but it seems that defense takes on the form of separation.

Could it be that we are not of the same mind because we are not bathing ourselves in the Word of God like he expects of Christians? And so being of the same mind is harder. 

I just think this is a hard principle. I feel like in this section of scripture Paul is writing characteristics of the Christian and what it means to be a Christian. He has gone through the Law and Grace and the theology of Grace, but now he gets to direct application. 

To be honest, I think this is a phrase that is easy to say, but hard to extrapolate the exact meaning. Yes, it is important for me to live in harmony with other people. There should be peace, kindness, unity in feeling, interests and objection. I mean, in some ways, Pamela and I had to leave Hoffmantown because we started to realize that we were having a really hard time with this idea. We were not of the same mind with the people in that church. It was like they were at one place and we were some place very different. I do not think that I was just trying to get my way. But, I did feel like because there was such a separation of thought that it was not doing any good for us to be there. It was doing more harm than good. 

In marriage, I see that Pamela and I are of the same mind. Do we agree on everything? No. Do we do things the same way? No. But, we believe in the marriage and our children. We are focused on making it all work. We have the same objective and so we can work through all the situations. We are not giving up even though at times we feel like giving up. I think the Spirit is alive in our marriage. I think the unity we share in Christ allows the Spirit of God to work through both of us and cements us together. Being of the same mind is possible, but it is definitely only possible when God's Spirit is at the helm and is allowed to work. 

Do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly

I am not to be arrogant in actions, but even in my mind. I am not to conduct myself in such a way as to make myself out to be more important than others. The Christian should not put forth the idea that because they are saved, because God has rescued them and made them holy, that they are somehow better than others. 

I think this is a real danger of a believer. I think because of their understanding they make themselves out to be superior to other people. But that misses a right understanding of the gospel because we are not in the faith we are because of our righteousness, but God has grafted us in, and so we are to give Him all the glory. 

And the complement of this thought is I am to associate with the lowly. Boy, this is hard when you are not accustomed to this. That I should go out of my way to associate with the lowly and who would be the lowly? If it is the homeless guy on the corner, asking for money ("Will work for food") then how do I associate with him? Do I take him out to eat? Could I spend more time with the lowly and bring them into my home? 

Do not be wise in your own estimation

I should not put myself up on a pedestal. I am not to uphold myself as being the wise one. In this statement is an attitude of boasting in myself. Proverbs 3:7 states something similar: "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil." A part of this is don't think that you know what other people are going through when you haven't gone through what they are going through. Don't assume that you know another person's perspective. 

I think I make assumptions about people's faith sometimes because of the label I place on them. I am learning to not do this. Every person has a different story. Each person has a different testimony of how they came to Christ and so each person will also have a different story as to how they have not come to Christ.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone

I am never to pay back evil for evil. To me, this is a statement that separates Christians from other major religions. I see this statement, but I admit, it is a hard one to follow, even in my own household. When I have been wronged or even when evil has been committed against me; when I have been shunned at work; when I am made to look like a fool; when I am not respected; when my authority is questioned; my natural inclination is to do something or say something toward that other person that discredits them. Again, Paul doesn't give commands that are natural to follow. He recognizes here that it is somewhat normal to pay back evil for evil. 

How often have I heard the phrase, "I am going to get even with you?" As I watch movies and TV shows it is most often the reason behind the show. In crime shows, it is not just that a person will be caught for a crime they committed, but someone how something will happen to them that will try to equal the evil that they did.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:39, "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." 

Matthew 5:44, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

So, what is my response to evil? It is to continue doing good. I think the mark of a Christian is his response to circumstances. My faith is not to waiver. I am to stand trusting in God no matter what. Romans 12:21 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Good is to rein in my life. As trials come, as hard times appear, as things occur that I don't understand, and when things well up inside of me, my response is simple, I am to remain doing the things that I do on any other day. I am to rise and surrender myself to the Lord and accept what He provides. I need to re-train myself in this way. I am too quickly trained to react and respond based upon what the world is training me. 

Respect what is right in the sight of all men

The word respect is an interesting one. I think there is an idea in this word that means to "stop." I think there is this idea that before you respond or react in a way that is natural to you, I am to think before. I am to observe in advance. I am to notice beforehand or plan before. Again, I see a big failure in my life in this over and over. The moment I feel attacked I immediately respond. I don't think. And yet this is what I need to do. I need to stop and think about how to respond and then do it in a way, that if I were to line up a string of people from all walks of life and ask them all what they would do, there would be a right way of doing things and the majority would respond to that situation in that way. I am to do what is right in the sight of all men.

Promise: I must live my life God's way. I am not live in a way that is natural to me.

Ezekiel 25

Message: Prophecies against Ammon, Moob and Seir, Edom, and Philistia

Time: The Word of the Lord comes to Ezekiel.

What the Lord is Saying:

Message to the Ammonites: It is against them. They are to hear the word of the Lord. There problem was their response when the Lord's sanctuary was profaned or blasphemed, and the desolation of the land of Israel, and Judah going into exile. You will lose your borders, therefore. You will be under someone else's control (the East) and your comfortable way of life will now be inhabited by others. The things that our yours will become theirs. Your good way of life will be no more. Through this know that "I am the Lord."

Message to Moab and Seir: What was their problem? They stated that the house of Judah is like all other nations. And for that, they were handed over to the East, like the Ammonites. How interesting. This should remind us of what the Lord thinks of people that don't agree with His words. We are to raise up those that He raises up.

Message to Edom: What was their problem? They acted revengefully against Judah and took vengeance on them. God's response: Make them desolate. Use Israel to act out the Lord's vengeance upon them.

Message to Philistia: What was their problem? They acted revengefully and desired not to just destroy, but to destroy continually (never-ending enmity). The Cherethites (another people group in the land of Philistia) and the Philistines will be struck down. It could be that the Cherethites were the guards for the rest of Philistia. The bottom line is the Lord will take vengeance upon them.

Promise: People are not obedient to the Lord's commands. But, the Lord will make it clear through painful experiences that He is the Lord.