What is the Most Important Command of God?

"A lighthouse along a bleak coast was tended by a keeper who was given enough oil for one month and told to keep the light burning every night. One day a woman asked for oil so that her children could stay warm. Then a farmer came. His son needed oil for a lamp so he could read. Still another needed some for an engine. The keeper saw each as a worthy request and measured out just enough oil to satisfy all. Near the end of the month, the tank in the lighthouse ran dry. That night the beacon was dark and three ships crashed on the rocks. More than 100 lives were lost.

When a government official investigated, the man explained what he had done and why. "You were given one task alone," insisted the official. "It was to keep the light burning. Everything else was secondary. There is no defense." -Source Unknown.

What is the highest priority in your life? That is the key question today. What is the most important thing? There are so many things that pull at our attention daily, our finances, our family, friends, commitments, chores, laundry, running errands, getting a haircut, going on vacation even. All these things pull at our attention. What is most important in life?

We all know the Sunday school answer: God should be first in your life. It’s easy to say that. But is it true? Or do we need to make an adjustment to our daily schedule? Do we need to carve out times to read the Bible, attend a small group, to pray and talk to God?

That is the challenge. If you can carve out those times in your busy schedule though, you will be one of those rare Christians who really glow with the power of God. The Holy Spirit will lead your life. And you’ll be securely on your way to heaven.

If you can’t quite carve out those prayer and bible reading times, and if you can’t quite make it to small group and church, then you’ll be one of those Christians who is unstable in their ways. You will be double-minded. You will be often confused and upset. You’ll be unsteady, and you’ll be liable to shipwreck.

Which do you want to be?

Conquer yourself. That is the challenge isn’t it? We’re not talking about something outside ourselves. We’re looking right into our own heart. Conquer yourself, he who can conquer himself is greater than he who can conquer a city.

The first step to conquer yourself: Realize you can’t. Surrender to that reality. I can’t do it alone. I can’t force myself to get there by pulling myself up by my bootstraps. I need God’s help. The first step is surrender. Honestly, that’s where I started when I couldn’t seem to get into a rhythm of praying and reading my Bible. I was too distracted by TV, my favorite series on Netflix, too distracted by videogames, and social media, and my laptop and my cell phone. I’d sit there knowing I should be praying as I stared at the TV, as I stared at the videogame or the computer screen or the cell phone screen, I knew, I should be praying, I should be reading the word.

But I felt held captive by the device. So, my first step was to stop, and pray and ask God for help with breaking free: God, help me please, I can’t seem to break away, please God do it in me, give me the power I need to carve out a prayer and Bible reading time each day. In Jesus name, amen.

And I found this new power in me, that had not been there before, and I was able to shut the lid on the laptop, put down the phone, and sit down on my floor, and talk to God in the dark at night. And later, in the mornings as well, and soon, it grew and grew over time, and when I wanted the time to grow, I would again turn to God, surrender, and ask for His help.

That process, of surrender, first, then turning toward God, then believing that God really can, and then watching him do it in you, as your cooperate with him, is a process that you can see repeated over and over again in your life.

If you struggle with drinking, or smoking, or porn, or lust, or stealing, or lying, or manipulation, or hatred, or unforgiveness, repeat this simple pattern:

First, surrender to God. God, I can’t do it alone.

Second, begin to believe God can do a miracle.

Third, turn it over completely to God and put it in His hands.

Fourth, watch as in His power, you overcome by the Holy Spirit victory in you.

It’s absolutely amazing. Time and time again when I get stuck in my walk with God in some area, some sin, some struggle, I return to that process of surrender and turning it over, and in time, in His time, suddenly, a see a miracle happen, and God gives the breakthrough. It’s astonishing.

So if you’re struggling to keep God first, well, realize you can’t. Surrender, ask humbly for God’s help, right now, pray, I challenge you, pray, and watch what he does, if you follow that simple process.

But that brings us to our scripture today, from Mark 12:28-31: “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Notice this is a teacher of the law asking this question. So they aren’t all bad. Some of the teachers and Pharisees and officials and elders really did honestly love God and want to understand what was happening around Jesus the messiah.

What is most important?

Jesus quotes two scriptures here:

The first is called the Shema by Jews, it’s from Deuteronomy 6:5, which says, ““And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

And the second portion, Leviticus 19:18: “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

The single most important thing that we should do as Christians is to learn to love God with all that we are and all that we have. That happens through deep relationship with God. That deep relationship happens through personal prayer, bible reading, group bible study, prayer meetings, singing and praising, Sunday worship, and every aspect of personal and corporate worship of God. So the more you want to love God deeply, and obey this command of Jesus, the more you should participate in the body of Christ, and have one on one time with God. Plain and simple. As your pastor I can’t do that for you, you have to make that happen with God’s help.

Secondly, Jesus also indicates, to love each other is second most important. Love God first, love others as well.

After hearing this the teacher of the law responds this way: Verses 32-34:

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”

This man Jesus says was not far from the kingdom of God. He understood that what God wants is for us to love Him first and love our neighbors, more so than any sacrifice. Love is central to everything.

Second section today, we see Jesus provoking an important question: Who is the messiah really? Truly?

In verses 35-37 it says this, “While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet.”’

37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The large crowd listened to him with delight.”

Jesus quotes here from Psalm 110, where it says, essentially God said to God, Sit at my right hand. So God is talking to God, telling God to sit at his right hand and wait until he puts his enemies under his feet.

In this time the Pharisees and religious leaders believed that the messiah would be a man born in the lineage of King David. And that part was true. The messiah would be in the line of David. Jesus our messiah was born into the family line of King David.

But, Jesus is pointing to a key fact to understand: The messiah was not just a man. The messiah was God in human form. The messiah was God dwelling in human flesh. Jesus was God in human form.

King David wrote that in Psalm 110, I’m sure not fully understanding what he was writing, but he was writing by the Holy Spirit, pointing to the coming of the God-man Jesus Christ.

Jesus was explaining to the crowd that the messiah would be the Lord himself, on Earth, to save us.

Section three, the true character of a Christian. Jesus warns against the attitude of the Pharisees and teachers of the law.

So what we read here, we should do our best to do the opposite of.

It says in verses 38-40: As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Lord Jesus is telling us to not be like that. Don’t act in that way, as a Christian. Don’t try to show how important you are. Don’t try to show how knowledgeable you are. Don’t try to wear fancy outfits for the purpose of being greeted with respect by others. Don’t try to find the most important seat at get togethers and events. Don’t make lengthy prayers to show how wonderful you are at praying.

Frankly, just as much as it was true two thousand years ago, today, many, pastors, priests, and everyday Christians make a show of their faith.

I listen to different preachers and pastors and teachers on Youtube and online and on TV and such, and one thing you can always sense very quickly is arrogance or pride. It is so incredibly common among preachers and pastors today, pride, ego, arrogance, pre-madonna, look at our important I am, look at how great my ministry is, look at what I’m doing, and we’ve got to guard against that. Most people can sense it though. I can sense it. If someone is prideful or arrogant or doing it out of self, I get a sense in my Spirit, something is off here, my fiancé Chelsey can sense it very quickly, if a song or a speaker is “off” she can sense something here is off.

The Spirit is not here. Or the Spirit is being hindered. Or self is being displayed, not God. It’s an easy thing to slip into. I often wanted to show how creative I could be, how deep I could go, and how important I was, and I still have to fight that, to want to show myself, instead of simply showing God in His glory. Lord help us to resist that spirit of selfish ambition and to glorify God, not self.

Jesus ends this section saying that these leaders, these teachers, who were entrusted with the very words of God himself, would be punished “most severely” because they made it about themselves, and not about God. May we always keep the focus on God, not on self. That is hard when hundreds or thousands of people are listening to you speak or listening to you sing or play guitar, or the cameras are pointed at you, or millions of followers are hanging on your every word, that’s when we gotta get on our face before God and plead with Him to keep us humble, and deliver us from pride of every kind. Lord help us!

The character of a true Christian, which is opposite of the teachers of the law described here, is this: To have no desire to be seen by others, but simply have a heart of love, wanting to be helpful to others who need to know Jesus and know God’s word. A simple desire to be helpful. A desire to get God’s word out there. A desire for others to be saved. An honest, genuine love for the real God who is here. It’s so simple, but if we’re consumed with love for God and love for others, a simple honest love for God and people, then pride is choked out in humility and love. Keep this motto: “I’m not that important, God is, I’m simply a servant of God, nothing more.”

So that’s the true nature of service to God. Now, last section, section four, the true nature of giving.

Here we see in verses 41-44 it says, “41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

The nature of giving is not actually what we might think. We might assume, well, the billionaire who gives 20% of his wealth to support world missions has giver a greater offering than the poor man who gave his last 2 dollars. But that actually isn’t true. According to God’s kingdom, the man who gave his last 2 dollars has in fact, given more.

Which tells us something very simple, but profound: God is looking at the heart of the giver.

But just as much, he’s looking at the level of trust of the giver. The widow gives her last two coins, all she had to live on, she is now broke, she won’t be able to pay for her next meal, but she is trusting God, trusting that God will provide for her.

So there are two things at work here: God looks at the heart, and God looks at the trust level.

Particularly if you give when it hurts, when you know you won’t be able to make ends meet otherwise, that is the a faithful offering to God. Giving when it hurts is the key to matching the heart of the widow who gave her last two coins. Now God won’t always call you to do that. But when he does, you should do it. But don’t assume that every time you have only a little left you are required to give it over to God. That’s not necessarily true. Go by the Spirit’s leading. Don’t make it into a 24/7 law. But give as God inspires you to.

But I think that’s best seen by tithing, most people assume with their finances being so tight, they couldn’t possibly tithe 10% of their income to God. But if they would simply trust God, and trust that God will provide in the lack, they would be blessed as they give 10% and greater and greater. But if God can’t trust you to give 10% and you refuse it, how can he ever trust you with more? That’s the question you should ponder. This widow gave her last two coins. Can we trust God and give even in tight finances? Pray on this, and seek God’s help again, just like we talked about it, if you’re afraid to go 10% in, start with surrender to God, and ask for God’s help. He will help you. Give it to Him.

So in conclusion, let’s look at our application points today:

1. Struggling to build relationship with God? When you can’t, Surrender it to God in Prayer

2. Use the “Surrender to God” process with other problems

3. Loving God & others is built on relationship

4. Jesus is both God and man (Son of God, son of Man)

5. Don’t be the teachers of the law, don’t show off

6. Have a sincere desire to be helpful in the background

7. Give to God financially, willingly, and out of lack to be blessed (Trust God in giving)

King David and the Gibeonites: The Impact of Sin on Generations

If you look back at the last one hundred or so years of American history, you see several generations of people. There of course the traditionalists, we call them “the greatest generation” or “the silent generation” they are the Americans who fought World War II. They built on the accomplishments of previous generations of americans.

Then you see a generation called the baby boomers. Baby boomers were the generation born after world war II. They would greatly affect the course of history.

Then there was generation X, born 1965-1980. Then you have my generation, millennials, born 1980-1996. And of course the more recent generation Y who are younger now.

Each of these generations has contributed to the progress or decline of America, depending on who you’re talking about.

It’s beyond question that the United States is in decline right now, financially, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, we see a society badly divided, confused, and lost as far as even basic understanding of life and issues.

We see that somewhere in between the traditionalists and the baby boomers, faith in God, Christianity, began to decline, and it didn’t get passed down properly then to X and Z. And I think that’s why we see so much chaos occurring in our society.

Similarly, today, in 2nd Samuel chapter 21 we’re going to see how previous generations and problems from the past can affect the present negatively.

We are all deeply impacted by our parents, grandparents, our society, our education system, and these things can alter the course of our lives day by day.

We begin chapter 21 with a famine taking place.

It says, 2 Samuel 21:1 “During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.”

First point today, when you see a problem, do what David did: Seek the Face of the Lord.

What does it mean to seek God’s face? To seek God’s face is to pray. It is prayer. But it’s more than prayer. Seeking God’s face is like seeking a word from the Lord. Prayer is making a request to God for something or praising him or worshipping or talking to him. But seeking god’s face is different. Seeking God’s face is seeking an answer from God. It’s not as much talking to God as asking God to speak to you, you’re looking to receive a “nudge” or ‘word” from God, sort of an answer on a particular issue.

Always pray, but also, seek God’s face, seek a word from Him. Pray, read His word, meditate quietly on his presence, and begin to turn yourself toward his presence. And he’ll come to you and share with you in different ways.

God quickly answers David, and let’s David know, it’s because of something that happened during the time of Saul. And now it’s David’s job to make it right.

Notice that famines can be linked to God. We see famines occur in the end times in fact. So this isn’t just old testament, it’s new testament too.

Also notice that David didn’t cause this problem but he’s the leader so it’s his responsibility to fix it.

Second point today, sometimes we’ll face a problem, and it’s our job to fix it, even if we didn’t cause it. We sometimes think well it’s not my problem. My friend has to fix his own problem. Sometimes that is true. Other times God may be seeing, you’re gonna help fix the problem, or you didn’t cause this, but I’ve placed you in a position to fix it. So fix it. Not my brother’s keeper? Wrong, help out when you can.

So David calls the Gibeonites and speaks to them, in verses 2-6:

2 The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) 3 David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?”

4 The Gibeonites answered him, “We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” David asked.

5 They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, 6 let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord’s chosen one.”

So the king said, “I will give them to you.”

So here we see how Saul’s sins affect his descendants. Saul’s own descendants are put to death because of Saul’s sin against the gibeonites. David has no choice but to try to make this right any way he can.

Israel had promised to always allow the gibeonites to live at peace. And Saul broke that promise. That was greatly displeasing to God. So it became a great issue for the nation.

Next in verses 7-9: 7 The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab,[a] whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 9 He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.”

This is tragic and horrible, and brings grief to the whole nation.

Next we see Rizpah, who had been a lover of Saul, mourning the loss of Saul’s descendants.

It says in verses 10-13: Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night. 11 When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done, 12 he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) 13 David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.”

So Rizpah mourns for the people, descendants of Saul, and King David is moved by her mourning and compassion. So he gathers up the dead, along with the bones of Saul and his old friend Jonathan, and they give them all a properly burial. ‘

“14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.”

After all of this took place, God again answered prayer on behalf of the land. Things had to be made right with what Saul had done to the Gibeonites. King David makes it right. Though it’s very messy and ugly.

Life on Earth is like that. It’s sometimes very messy and ugly. To understand that we simply have to look to the cross of Jesus Christ. We see God in human form, taken by the authorities of this world, false charges are invented against him, and he’s whipped and beaten and mocked. He’s made to carry a wooden cross. Nails are driven into his hands and feet and he’s lifted up on the cross sentenced to die slowly.

But this blood sacrifice, of Jesus the Son of God, would paradoxically become our salvation. By his blood, we become healed, our sins are washed away and we get a clean slate. But it took a lot. And it was dark. But that dark moment became our light.

That’s our third point today, resolution, like the resolution between Saul and the Gibeonites, took the shedding of blood. Similarly, our salvation can only come through the shedding of innocent blood, the blood of Jesus Christ the messiah.

Second portion of our scripture deals with a war that breaks out between Israel and the Philistines once again.

David leads his troops out to battle against their old enemy the philistines. David had defeated one philistine in particular a long time ago, named Goliath. Now he fights them again.

It says in verses 15-17: Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels[b] and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”

As David gets older, he goes into battle, and it says that on the battlefield as he’s fighting with his men, “David became exhausted.”

This reminds me of an incident recently with myself. My fiancé Chelsey and I were on a sail boat in Traverse City this weekend, there were about 20 others on board. And as we were setting out, and the crew asked for volunteers to help get the sails in place. So we got to “heav and ho” back and forth pulling the ropes in two lines. And let me tell you, very quickly, like David, I quote “became exhausted” as I did it. As you get older, you get exhausted a bit more easily.

So in the midst of the battle Abishai has to come rescue David. And in response to this incident his troops tell him to stop fighting on the frontlines with him, they don’t want to lose their king.

It’s a good reminder for us, next point today, sometimes as you get older you gotta sit this one out. You can’t do as much as you used ot do. It’s ok to know your own limits. It’s ok to realize, I simply can’t do this now. I’m exhausted. I’m getting older. I need to sit this one out. Sometimes we push ourselves too hard. And that’s not God’s will.

Lastly, in verses 18-22 we see events that take place in different battles. It says, “

18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.

19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair[c] the Bethlehemite killed the brother of[d] Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.

20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.

22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.”

We see the various descendants here of Goliath of Gath defeated one by one by David’s troops. All of this stuff is connected. So much of life itself, history, time space reality all of it is connected and is one big story. Our whole society is connected. People are connected. When one person turns to Jesus Christ, everyone around them is affected in some way. When someone turns to sin and self destruction everyone around them suffers as a result.

Goliath was defeated by David, and David’s victory over Goliath continued to the descendants of Goliath himself, each of them were defeated in battles against the Philistines. David won total victory over his enemies.

Last point for today, if you follow Jesus Christ, and live by the leading of the Holy Spirit, in the sight and will of God the Father, you will see victory over your sins. You’ll victory over troubles in your life. And if you stay with Jesus, year by year, you’ll see new victories, and those victories, will be linked to future victories, if you stay on the path, it’s all connected.

Present victories will lead to future victories. Present compromises will link to future compromises.

But in Christ, we have the victory, and future victories will become. Stay on the path.

It takes patience to walk that road. But if you stay firm to the path, you’ll see the victories proceed into new victories and those new victories will blossom future victories and it will become a life of victory in Jesus Christ our Lord.

So in review today, the main points today are as follows:

1. When facing a problem that needs an answer, seek God’s face (Seek an answer from God)

2. Even if you didn’t cause the problem, God may call you to fix it anyway (Not your problem? Wrong, be your brothers keeper)

3. Resolution of our sins, took the shedding of blood (Sometimes the price is high)

4. Sometimes if you’re getting older or you’re sick, it’s ok to sit this one out (Know your limits)

5. Present Victories are linked to future victories (and vice-versa, present failures will be linked to future failures)

Sheba's Rebellion against King David

At the end of 2nd Samuel chapter 19 we see Mephibosheth rejoining King David after he had fled Jerusalem. We also see Barzillai, a rich guy who was supporting David in Mahanaim, come to David, and David invites him to Jerusalem, but Barzillai prefers to return to his own home, because he’s in his eighties. So he leaves one of his servants with David.

Mephibosheth comes to David having not washed his clothes, or shaved or cared for his appearance, basically to show David that he was waiting for his return.

Mephibosheth was disabled in both his feet. He can’t run away with David, so he shows his allegiance to David through fasting.

We too want to show our allegiance to God through Jesus Christ. We want to display our commitment. Sometimes we can’t do it as good as others, because we have physical health problems or mental health problems. But if we have those issues, we can show our commitment to God in other ways.

That’s our first point today, if you’re disabled show your commitment in unique ways. Commitment is the key word here.

It says in 2nd Samuel 19:24-25 “Then Mephibosheth the son of Saul went down to meet the king. He had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he came back in peace. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”

Mephibosheth explains that he wasn’t able to come and David accepts his apology. He shows grace to those who didn’t go with him when he ran from Absalom’s forces.

Second point is, like David, show grace. Mephibosheth shows his commitment. David shows the grace and mercy of Christ again here.

Then at the end of 2nd Samuel 19 we see that David is crossing the Jordan river, and he is with the tribe of Judah, they’ve all come to support him, after he asked for their support. But then we see the leaders of the other tribes of Israel confronting them. And we begin to see a growing divide between the two sides.

It says in verses 40-43, “40 The king passed on to Gilgal, and Kimham went on with him; all of the people of Judah and half of the people of Israel passed on with the king.

41 Now all of the men of Israel were coming to the king and said to the king, “Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king and his household across the Jordan, and all of the men of David with him?”

42 All of the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is our close relative. Why are you angry over this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s expense? Has he given any gift to us?”

43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, “We have ten shares in the king. Therefore we also have more claim on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt? Were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?”

But the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.”

The leaders of Judah are harsh with the leaders of Israel. Increasingly, we see a divide between north and south, and it’s slowly getting worse.

Third point today, avoid harsh words. Harsh words can cause big problems. But if you’re polite, even if you’re correcting someone, do so as kindly as possible. Don’t be harsh or vicious or too intense. Be soft about it. It’s still gonna hit hard, if you’re correcting someone, but soften the blow if you can.

But somehow it looks like everything is going to be ok. Despite the rebellion of Absalom, the splitting of the nation, now it looks like they might just come back together as one people.

But then we come to 2nd Samuel 20, next chapter, where a man named Sheba jumps into the situation.

It says this, 2nd Samuel 20:1-2 Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,

“We have no share in David,

no part in Jesse’s son!

Every man to his tent, Israel!”

2 So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.”

Apparently this troublemaker, Sheba, is very influential. As they stand there, by the Jordan river, with King David, and the tribe of Judah, and half of Israel there, this troublemaker Sheba starts rallying the people, demanding they leave David.

And all of Israel sides with Sheba, instead of David! Can you believe this disloyalty? Instead of listening to their true king, they follow a troublemaker. And it says Israel followed Sheba, this rebel, but, the tribe of Judah stayed loyal to David, and they continued with David all the way to Jerusalem.

Fourth point today, stay away from troublemakers. Today we call troublemakers people who spread drama. Gossips. Drama queen. Drama king. People who always cause divisions and problem. Avoid those people. Plain and simple.

And if you notice that in yourself, ask God’s forgiveness. Realize how ugly that is. Mourn over your sin, and repent quickly. Repent of troublemaking, or you may end up like Sheba, a rebel.

So David is back in Jerusalem. And if you remember, when Absalom captured Jerusalem, he took David’s concubines and made love to them in front of the whole country.

David’s first act is to make sure the 10 concubines are cared for, but they are left to live as widows the rest of their lives. It says in 2nd Samuel 20:3, “3 When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.”

Point number 5, some things you can’t take back. Sometimes when something bad happens to you, it will change things forever. It wasn’t the concubines fault, what happened. But, it changed things for them, the rest of their lives. Sin has consequences. Some things you can’t take back. Don’t be like Absalom, mistreating others. Because the shame they carry may be for the rest of their lives. One sin you commit against someone can affect them the rest of their lives.

Next in verse 4 David sends Amasa the leader of his troops to gather the armies of the tribe of Judah to prepare to counter Sheba’s rebellion. This is now the second rebellion David is having to deal with. How stressful! Constant problems David faces.

6 David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master’s men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.”[a] 7 So Joab’s men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

8 While they were at the great rock in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath.

9 Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri.”

Point number 6 today, be cautious of the friendly enemy. Or you call that the frienemy. Amasa got Joab’s job. And Joab wanted revenge. Amasa wasn’t cautious around a friend who was actually an enemy. And he lost his life. What Joab did was terrible and sinful. But Amasa needed to be wise. Don’t trust a friend who is also an enemy, keep them at a distance, so they can’t harm you. Don’t take them too close.

Next we see Sheba being pursued by Joab and the army. So Sheba retreats and hides in the city of Abel Beth Maakah.

Joab besieges the city. In verses 15-17 it says, “15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, 16 a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.” 17 He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”

“I am,” he answered.

She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.”

“I’m listening,” he said.

Joab is attacking this city because Sheba the rebel is hiding in it. But this wise woman wants to prevent the destruction of the city. So she asks to speak to Joab.

Point number seven, be like the wise woman and ask to speak to the one in charge. We do that with God in Jesus Christ, and we have access to the king of Kings. Be wise, in a bad situation, speak gracious words to the leader. And you’ll find help in times of trouble.

What happens next? In verses 18-22:

18 She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it. 19 We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”

20 “Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”

The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”

22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.”

Sheba is captured by the wise woman and he is killed. The rebellion is again over. And Joab returns to King David in Jerusalem.

Last point today, understand that rebels will not be tolerated before God’s kingdom and throne. Don’t be a rebel. Don’t be like Sheba who rebelled against David. Be loyal to your King Jesus Christ. And then you’ll prosper. Loyalty means a lot. Stay loyal to Him for all your days. Loyalty is the key word here.

Let’s reaffirm our commitment to Christ today. Lord Jesus, we admit our sins before your throne. We ask you to forgive us our sins. We believe in you Lord Jesus, that you are the way, the truth, and the life for us today. We commit our allegiance to your and your kingdom. We lay down our weapons of rebellion and we put on the armor of God. We receive you as savior and Lord and King. Thank you Jesus, Amen! 

King David shows grace to his Enemies

Mourning and celebrating, have you ever felt happy, but sad at the same time? Has a moment of excitement or joy suddenly become sad for you? Or perhaps a moment of sorrow turned into a moment of joy?

The rebellion of Absalom has been defeated. King David’s troops fought bravely in the battle in the forest of Ephraim, and they emerged victorious. But in the midst of the fighting, Absalom, David’s own son was killed. Joab knew the order, that Absalom was to be spared but, he killed Absalom anyway. 

King David has been I'm sure on a rollercoaster of different emotions, fear, worry, excitement, victory, and so on. But now, it turns to sorrow. So while David’s troops are celebrating, David is devastated. Joab the leader of David’s troops finds out about this and is not happy.

We see it says in 2nd Samuel 19:1-4, “ Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

David mourns for his son, even though his son had led a rebellion against him. David loved one who was his enemy. That’s the same with Jesus Christ our messiah. He loved us while we were his enemies. He loved us while we were sinners. David has a love even for those who despised him.

Meanwhile Joab is very angry with David. He sees the troops ashamed and hiding themselves even though they’ve just won a great victory. So Joab comes and rips into David.

It says in verses 5-7: "Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.”

Joab actually threatens to lead a rebellion against David, if David doesn’t go out and greet the troops.

He mentions how he will make it worse for him than all the calamities he’s faced in his life so far. And we know after going through 1st and 2nd Samuel that David has been through a lot in his life. I’m sure that’s true for many of you as well. You’ve been through a lot. And it’s affected you. But God was with you through all of it, and he guided you as you sought after him.

So the king goes out. It says in verse 8: "So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they all came before him. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes.”

King David does go out to greet the troops as Joab requested. He wants to show his support for the soldiers who fought on his side. But I'm sure he's simply torn with emotions. He's proud of his soldiers and how bravely they fought in the battle of the forest of Ephraim. But he's also crushed and freshly grieving the death of his son. 

There have been many times in my life where I've been torn by opposing emotions in my heart. I'm sure you've felt that way too. And these events in David's life reminds me that God knows and cares when we are in incredible sorrow. God understands it, because God himself has gone through it. God has seen his people rebel against him, starting with Adam and Eve. And I'm sure God is greatly grieved by all this. 

Yet I'm sure he's very excited to see the many millions who have turned to Christ for salvation, and been adopted into His family. But at the same time, so many reject Him. I can only imagine the kind of mixed emotions the Lord almighty must have in His heart. Which tells me that God knows, understands and is able to encourage us who go through crazy emotional messes in our lives. 

In verses 9-10 we see the people of Israel in turmoil across the country arguing and debating in the marketplaces and in their homes, wondering, should we ask David to be our king again? 

It says, "Throughout the tribes of Israel, all the people were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. But now he has fled the country to escape from Absalom; and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?” (v. 9-10).

The rest of Israel is trying to figure out what to do next. Absalom is dead. So they think, well, we better rejoin under David’s leadership. But no one is taking the lead to move forward and do that. They just keep talking about it, arguing about it.

David isn't concerned yet with the northern tribes of Israel who are debating back and forth. He's first going to speak to the tribe of Judah, his own home tribe, in the south.   

Next, verses 11-15: "King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.’”

He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your men.” Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan."

In verses 11-15 we see David regaining the tribe of Judah, who joins up with him once again. It's fascinating that David actually has to go to them. They don't come to him first. David is so incredibly humble he gathers them back to himself. They should've come to him, on their knees, begging for forgiveness for joining Absalom. But instead David goes to them! 

Then in verses 15-20: "Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan. Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul’s household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished.

When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.”

Shimei is the one who was shouting at King David and throwing rocks at him and cursing him when he was fleeing Jerusalem.

And David’s advisors tell him in verse 21: Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lord’s anointed.”

This was a very serious offense in the ancient world, to curse the King and throw rocks at him, you could be put to death for that. Frankly, even in our modern world, if someone were cursing at the president of the USA, throwing rocks at him, he’d be taken down by secret service, and I’m sure in court they’d throw the book at him. He’d probably end up in prison for a few years at least. 

But notice that Shimei is repentant. He falls prostrate before King David and admits that he sinned against him. Shimei asks that his sins not be looked upon anymore. And Shimei is repentant in his timing as well. He comes early. He comes before any other other tribes have rejoined David. An act of loyalty and repentance in a moment like that can be a powerful display. 

This is essentially true repentance. It's meaningful repentance. You know you're 100% in the wrong. You ask forgiveness for your sin humbly, you turn away from it, and change your behavior to be the opposite of your sin. You join with the one you had sinned against, instead of rebelling against him.

Shimei deserves to be punished, to be executed, but, he is seeking forgiveness in a heartfelt and genuine way. It's real. It's from his heart.

But David's advisors suggest that Shimei be executed. 

Here is the King’s response: (verses 22-23) David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.”

Shimei is pardoned, and he is told he will not die. He will live. That’s what happens when we receive Jesus Christ as savior, and ask God to forgive our sins. We receive pardon, and fellowship. And God makes us part of his family again. It’s wonderful. But just like Shimei, it has to come from the heart. And it has to be married with repentance, with a real turning from past sins and toward the one offended. That's why we "repent and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15). Belief is joined with repentance, a turning away from past wrong behaviors and toward purity in Christ, knowing we're guilty, but embracing a new way, as we believe Christ can in fact provide it for us. 

So in conclusion, we're seeing the aftermath of the rebellion of Absalom. And we're seeing a divide between the north and south of Israel. But we're seeing the grace and mercy of King David that is also going to bring a lot of healing to the nation. 

It's a great reminder that God gives us grace and mercy in Jesus Christ, and therefore we need to show grace and mercy and forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Live that out today! God bless you.