GOOD MORNING!
Today’s readings are:
1 Chronicles 12-14
Click here to read these passages at BibleGateway
Rabbit trails
As we begin our reading today, YHWH is bringing David’s army to him.
1 Chronicles 12:23-38 details some of these forces
- Judah 6800
- Simeon 7100
- Levites 4600
- House of Aaron 3700
- Saul’s own kinsmen 3000
- Ephraimites 20,800
- Half tribe of Manasseh 18,000
- Issachar 200 chiefs and all of the men under their command
- Zebulun 50,000
- Naphtali 38,000
- Danites 28,600
- Asher 40,000
- Renunemites Gadites, and the other half tribe of Manasseh 120,000
We do not know a total number of the collective troops who came to serve under David, but just with what we have nearly half a million men.
And passages like this always make me think of Numbers 23:19
Has He said it and will He not do it?
Backtracking a bit, 1 Chronicles 12:18 shows the Holy Spirit being given to someone yet again. I just like to point these out because so many teach that the Holy Spirit didn’t come until the “new” testament. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve read of it being given to someone since we began in Genesis.
1 Chronicles 12:38 tells us the state of their heart in coming to David – they were wholehearted to make Him king over all of Israel. The next statement tells us that they were also of a single mind. Let’s think about this a minute. These were men of all different tribes and former allegiances. They had been living in different lands, serving in different roles, and by this time had no doubt established different cultures from among them as well. Almost half a million people – and they were of a single mind. When we know YHWH, when we are wholeheartedly seeking after Him and working within His will, we will be the same. Why do we see such division in the world today? The world does not know YHWH, they know impersonations of YHWH. But many are tiring of impersonations and going wholeheartedly after the real thing.
Only the real thing will do. How do we know the real thing? In a world full of counterfeit gods designed to deceive us, how do we know? We know His Word. YHWH is a God of His Word and He does not change. Has He not said it, and will He not do it? His Word is the lamp to our path, His commandments are good and righteous and holy. He has given us the framework within which we are to operate as His people. And when we know His word, we know Him.
But, we won’t recognize a counterfeit if we don’t know the original.
1 Chronicles 13:1-4 YHWH had given David power over all of Israel by sending these mighty warriors to serve and fight for Him. Lesser men would have taken a moment (or longer) to bask in this power and their self importance would have gone up at least a few notches. However, David’s first thought is on how to give honor to YHWH in bringing the ark back. While it was fully within his power and right to issue the orders to do so, instead he humbled himself and consulted the people, thereby allowing them to share in the honor of doing this for YHWH. Further, he referred to them as brothers. He used the power YHWH gave him not to exalt himself over them but rather to exalt YHWH over all.
1 Chronicles 14:2 And David knew that YHWH had established him as king over Israel…
David knew. He made it a point to acknowledge this. We must remind ourselves daily who has given us comfort, security, relationships, and whatever position we are in and use it to His glory. Regardless of whether or not our neighbor has a higher position in our eyes or more comfort or greater security.
Book open, eyes on Him. We each have a patch of land to steward and if we take notice, there is a flock to tend to on that land as well.
1 Chronicles 14:12 After David asks YHWH whether or not he is to fight the Philistines, and YHWH delivers a victory, we are told they left their gods behind when they fled. YHWH had demonstrated not only His power but also the impotence of their gods.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
When YHWH’s people walk in faith before our enemies, we shine our light on His power.
Test everything, hold tight to what is good.~Â 1 Thess 5:21
We are saved by Grace alone: Obedience is not the root of our salvation, it is the fruit!
May YHWH bless the reading of His Word!
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