God's testimony
2 Kings 23:25
Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did--with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
2 Kings 18:5
Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him.
Acts 13:22 says, “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.‘”
An often-confusing term concerning the Biblical character of David is the term “man after God’s own heart”. Have you ever wondered what that really means? What does that kind of heart even look like? This morning I read a verse from the writings of David that I believe perhaps best captures the meaning behind this phrase.
I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalms 16:2
David recognized that the only good in him was the God in him. Great godly leaders are willing to step aside from their own need for ego building and self-confidence and humble themselves before an almighty God.
I have heard before that President Theodore Roosevelt often went outdoors at night, looked up into the vastness of the universe, simply to remind himself of his humanity compared to the vastness of the universe. I think that is an important principle for all of us that claim a leadership title.
Next time someone asks you why David was called “a man after God’s own heart”, point him or her to Psalm 16:2.
The following words describe the heart of David as seen in his own writings:
(All verses New International Version)
Humble – Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Psalm 62:9
Reverent – I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3
Respectful – Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. Psalm 31:9
Trusting – The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Loving – I love you, O Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:1
Devoted – You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. Psalm 4:7
Recognition – I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. Psalm 9:1
Faithful – Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
Obedient – Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34
Repentant – For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Psalm 25:11
David’s example is a great road map for how we are to live our life.
Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did--with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
- He studies the Moses law
- He cleansed the temple
- He turned to God
Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
2 Kings 18:5
Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him.
- He remained faithful to the LORD and did not turn from following Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses.
- "Remember, LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Isaiah 38:3
Acts 13:22 says, “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.‘”
An often-confusing term concerning the Biblical character of David is the term “man after God’s own heart”. Have you ever wondered what that really means? What does that kind of heart even look like? This morning I read a verse from the writings of David that I believe perhaps best captures the meaning behind this phrase.
I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalms 16:2
David recognized that the only good in him was the God in him. Great godly leaders are willing to step aside from their own need for ego building and self-confidence and humble themselves before an almighty God.
I have heard before that President Theodore Roosevelt often went outdoors at night, looked up into the vastness of the universe, simply to remind himself of his humanity compared to the vastness of the universe. I think that is an important principle for all of us that claim a leadership title.
Next time someone asks you why David was called “a man after God’s own heart”, point him or her to Psalm 16:2.
The following words describe the heart of David as seen in his own writings:
(All verses New International Version)
Humble – Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Psalm 62:9
Reverent – I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3
Respectful – Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. Psalm 31:9
Trusting – The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Loving – I love you, O Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:1
Devoted – You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. Psalm 4:7
Recognition – I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. Psalm 9:1
Faithful – Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
Obedient – Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34
Repentant – For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Psalm 25:11
David’s example is a great road map for how we are to live our life.
Do not take your Holy Spirit from me
"In the spring, when the kings normally went out to war, David sent out Joab, his servants, and all the Israelites..... But David stayed in Jerusalem".
(2 Samuel 11:1)
David, known as s man after God's own heart had a time in his life where he lost the joy of salvation, a time when he couldn't feel the presence of Almighty God and the Holy Spirit. We know that it was the time when he committed sin.
🍁If we look at the above incident, we realise that it was just a single sin that was leading David to commit multiple sins! *What may be the reason behind this series of sins?* David failed to complete the responsibility that was entrusted on him. As a king he was supposed to go out to war. But, David stayed in Jerusalem and sent Joab and others! *An idle mind is devil's workshop*. He went to the roof and while he was there he saw her. This led him to commit multiple sins.
1. Lust of the eyes.
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).
2. Adultery 3. Deception. 4. Telling lies 5. Murder. During all these period, David neither felt the presence of God nor the Holy Spirit.
🍁It was after an year that David realised his mistakes when prophet Nathan came to him. It was then he experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit who convicted him of his sins.
"Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me".(Psalms 51)
🍁Did God punish David for his sins? "Now, therefore, 1. *The sword will never depart from your house*, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own." 2. This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and *he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight*. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’' 3. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, *the son born to you will die*.”After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. (11: 10-16)
🍁David repented and confessed and the Lord took away his sin and he didn't die. But, he had to go through all the above punishments in due time.
🍁Unfortunately, we hear similar incidents perhaps worse than what David committed in today's world. God may be responding to them directly, indirectly or even not responding at all(when we try to understand in our own intellect)!
🍁However, what we, as children of God can do is setting apart our family lives as Holy. As Paul says *"I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him"*.(1 Corinthians 11:2) If this instruction is for church, the bride of Christ, how important it is for it's various individual parts!
It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the conviction of sin, righteousness and judgement. Let our prayers be like David. "Do not take your Holy Spirit from me".
(2 Samuel 11:1)
David, known as s man after God's own heart had a time in his life where he lost the joy of salvation, a time when he couldn't feel the presence of Almighty God and the Holy Spirit. We know that it was the time when he committed sin.
🍁If we look at the above incident, we realise that it was just a single sin that was leading David to commit multiple sins! *What may be the reason behind this series of sins?* David failed to complete the responsibility that was entrusted on him. As a king he was supposed to go out to war. But, David stayed in Jerusalem and sent Joab and others! *An idle mind is devil's workshop*. He went to the roof and while he was there he saw her. This led him to commit multiple sins.
1. Lust of the eyes.
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).
2. Adultery 3. Deception. 4. Telling lies 5. Murder. During all these period, David neither felt the presence of God nor the Holy Spirit.
🍁It was after an year that David realised his mistakes when prophet Nathan came to him. It was then he experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit who convicted him of his sins.
"Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me".(Psalms 51)
🍁Did God punish David for his sins? "Now, therefore, 1. *The sword will never depart from your house*, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own." 2. This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and *he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight*. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’' 3. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, *the son born to you will die*.”After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. (11: 10-16)
🍁David repented and confessed and the Lord took away his sin and he didn't die. But, he had to go through all the above punishments in due time.
🍁Unfortunately, we hear similar incidents perhaps worse than what David committed in today's world. God may be responding to them directly, indirectly or even not responding at all(when we try to understand in our own intellect)!
🍁However, what we, as children of God can do is setting apart our family lives as Holy. As Paul says *"I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him"*.(1 Corinthians 11:2) If this instruction is for church, the bride of Christ, how important it is for it's various individual parts!
It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the conviction of sin, righteousness and judgement. Let our prayers be like David. "Do not take your Holy Spirit from me".
Influence of troop of prophets
1 Samuel 19:18-24
David escaped and went to Ramah to see Samuel, and he told him all that Saul had done to him. Then Samuel took David with him to live at Naioth. 19 When the report reached Saul that David was at Naioth in Ramah, 20 he sent troops to capture him. But when they arrived and saw Samuel leading a group of prophets who were prophesying, the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men, and they also began to prophesy. 21 When Saul heard what had happened, he sent other troops, but they, too, prophesied! The same thing happened a third time. 22 Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah and arrived at the great well in Secu. “Where are Samuel and David?” he demanded.“They are at Naioth in Ramah,” someone told him. 23 But on the way to Naioth in Ramah the Spirit of God came even upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy all the way to Naioth! 24 He tore off his clothes and lay naked on the ground all day and all night, prophesying in the presence of Samuel. The people who were watching exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet?”
Lessons:
- Troop of prophets could create an environment full of God's spirit
- Everyone joined the prophets, who wanted to kills them, started prophesying
- Even after Lord rejected Saul, Spirit of God came upon Saul, and he prophesied
David escaped and went to Ramah to see Samuel, and he told him all that Saul had done to him. Then Samuel took David with him to live at Naioth. 19 When the report reached Saul that David was at Naioth in Ramah, 20 he sent troops to capture him. But when they arrived and saw Samuel leading a group of prophets who were prophesying, the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men, and they also began to prophesy. 21 When Saul heard what had happened, he sent other troops, but they, too, prophesied! The same thing happened a third time. 22 Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah and arrived at the great well in Secu. “Where are Samuel and David?” he demanded.“They are at Naioth in Ramah,” someone told him. 23 But on the way to Naioth in Ramah the Spirit of God came even upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy all the way to Naioth! 24 He tore off his clothes and lay naked on the ground all day and all night, prophesying in the presence of Samuel. The people who were watching exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet?”
Lessons:
- Troop of prophets could create an environment full of God's spirit
- Everyone joined the prophets, who wanted to kills them, started prophesying
- Even after Lord rejected Saul, Spirit of God came upon Saul, and he prophesied
Consequences of disobedience
1 Samuel 15: 2. This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt. 3 Now go and completely destroy[a]the entire Amalekite nation—men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.”4 So Saul mobilized his army at Telaim. There were 200,000 soldiers from Israel and 10,000 men from Judah. 5 Then Saul and his army went to a town of the Amalekites and lay in wait in the valley. 6 Saul sent this warning to the Kenites: “Move away from where the Amalekites live, or you will die with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up from Egypt.” So the Kenites packed up and left. 7 Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, east of Egypt. 8 He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else. 9 Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.
The Lord Rejects Saul
10 Then the Lord said to Samuel, 11 “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.”
12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.”13 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!”14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded. 15 “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lordyour God. We have destroyed everything else.” 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the Lord told me last night!” “What did he tell you?” Saul asked. 17 And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. 18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ 19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?” 20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else.21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel replied,
“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”
Lessons:
- Saul didn't destroy the Amalekites king
- He brought the plunder that God told him to destroy and he planned to offer to the Lord
- He covered his sin
- Didn't consider God's commands seriously
- Didn't care about the consequences
The Lord Rejects Saul
10 Then the Lord said to Samuel, 11 “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.”
12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.”13 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!”14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded. 15 “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lordyour God. We have destroyed everything else.” 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the Lord told me last night!” “What did he tell you?” Saul asked. 17 And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. 18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ 19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?” 20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else.21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel replied,
“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”
Lessons:
- Saul didn't destroy the Amalekites king
- He brought the plunder that God told him to destroy and he planned to offer to the Lord
- He covered his sin
- Didn't consider God's commands seriously
- Didn't care about the consequences
When we look at people and situations
1 Samuel 13: 5-14
The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000[c] chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore! They camped at Micmash east of Beth-aven. 6 The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns. 7 Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead.
Saul’s Disobedience and Samuel’s Rebuke
Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear.8 Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. 9 So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. 10 Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, 11 but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. 12 So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.” 13 “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
Lessons:
- Saul took control of the situation rather than surrendering to the Lord, and lost his kingdom forever.
- Wait patiently for the Lord, for Lord's guidance and don't be moved by the people and circumstances around us
The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000[c] chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore! They camped at Micmash east of Beth-aven. 6 The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns. 7 Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead.
Saul’s Disobedience and Samuel’s Rebuke
Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear.8 Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. 9 So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. 10 Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, 11 but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. 12 So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.” 13 “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
Lessons:
- Saul took control of the situation rather than surrendering to the Lord, and lost his kingdom forever.
- Wait patiently for the Lord, for Lord's guidance and don't be moved by the people and circumstances around us
Talking Trees
Parable of the Talking Trees...Judges 9:7-15.
There is an interesting Parable of the Talking Trees in the Book of Judges which we often chop off when we skip and skim the scriptures and hardly pay attention. But, it there for us read and understand because God has planted it in the scriptures. It is so relevant and applicable in any areas of our lives namely, spiritual, social, family, educational, business, judiciary, law and order, political or any management scenarios, where we have a choice either to be fruit bearers and Nation Builders or to be a thorn in the flesh for others and burn up and waste our God given talents and gifts
History behind the Parable ...
Gideon, ( also know as Jerub-Baal, after defeating the Midianites, refused to become the King, as he still felt a Zero and not a Hero in his eyes, Judges 8:22-23. He only wanted to be a Judge and after his time, his 70 sons by many wives, took over the responsibility of being judges splitting their duties. But, one power hungry son, Abimelech, son by a concubine, a wanted to have all the responsibility for himself and to judge over Israel. Abimelech got all his brothers killed with the help of his money power, through hiring mercenaries, Judges 8:29, 9: 4-5.
The youngest son Jotham escaped to tell the story. Here are the characters in the Parable: Judges 9:7.
The Trees. 🌲🌳 - They are the people of Israel.
The Olive Tree 🕊🍸- Scholars think this could be Gideon who was useful, fruitful and valuable like the olive tree. Gideon and all Israel wanted God as their Lord and King, Judges 9: 22-23..
The fig tree 🌳 - This tree is also a good fruit tree and the fruit is part of the people's regular diet. So most think it could be Gideon's sons who were good, Judges 9: 10-11.
The Vine 🍇 - This is thought to be the Priests who also refused. The Vine said they served God's and men. Grape juice and wine were used by men and priest, Judges 9:12-13.
The Bramble Thorn Bush🌵 - This thorny bush easily burns. Here we see this little bush spitting fire 🔥 from it's mouth threatening to be a towering inferno over the towering trees. It can give no shade under the bush and yet wants the trees to come under it's thorny, prickly and irritating atmosphere to take shelter. This represented Abimelech who became a dictator instead of a King and destroyed the people, Judges 9: 14-15.
The arrogant bramble bush who had no contribution to make for the society, unlike the trees and the Vine, only seeked destruction, while the trees and Vine knew their place and contributed without holding any position. Abimelech the useless bramble abused and misused power who seeked to remove, uproot and totally destroy anyone who seemed greater than him eventually got killed, through a cracked skull and own sword, to fulfill the curse of Jotham, Judges 9:22-57.
There are so many brambles in this world, unleashing their fiery threats subtely on innocent people, making tall claims, hidden agendas false promises, spreading fake news and has no governance when they come to power. Those who bear fruit for the public good, are justly respected and honoured by all the people, more than those who merely make a figure for selfish ambition. We should serve for the good of others, willing to forgo promotion for self interest and personal gain. Brambles are unfit to rule, they are only good for burning. They can make a lot of crackling noise but has no voice.
What is important is to serve God faithfully bearing fruit where we are planted to be the Light in Dark places flowing and glowing in His Glory. The Fruit Trees and Vines will be known by their fruit, Jesus said you can never pick grapes or figs, (or Olives...paraphrased)from a thornbush, Matthew 7:16....
Amen.
There is an interesting Parable of the Talking Trees in the Book of Judges which we often chop off when we skip and skim the scriptures and hardly pay attention. But, it there for us read and understand because God has planted it in the scriptures. It is so relevant and applicable in any areas of our lives namely, spiritual, social, family, educational, business, judiciary, law and order, political or any management scenarios, where we have a choice either to be fruit bearers and Nation Builders or to be a thorn in the flesh for others and burn up and waste our God given talents and gifts
History behind the Parable ...
Gideon, ( also know as Jerub-Baal, after defeating the Midianites, refused to become the King, as he still felt a Zero and not a Hero in his eyes, Judges 8:22-23. He only wanted to be a Judge and after his time, his 70 sons by many wives, took over the responsibility of being judges splitting their duties. But, one power hungry son, Abimelech, son by a concubine, a wanted to have all the responsibility for himself and to judge over Israel. Abimelech got all his brothers killed with the help of his money power, through hiring mercenaries, Judges 8:29, 9: 4-5.
The youngest son Jotham escaped to tell the story. Here are the characters in the Parable: Judges 9:7.
The Trees. 🌲🌳 - They are the people of Israel.
The Olive Tree 🕊🍸- Scholars think this could be Gideon who was useful, fruitful and valuable like the olive tree. Gideon and all Israel wanted God as their Lord and King, Judges 9: 22-23..
The fig tree 🌳 - This tree is also a good fruit tree and the fruit is part of the people's regular diet. So most think it could be Gideon's sons who were good, Judges 9: 10-11.
The Vine 🍇 - This is thought to be the Priests who also refused. The Vine said they served God's and men. Grape juice and wine were used by men and priest, Judges 9:12-13.
The Bramble Thorn Bush🌵 - This thorny bush easily burns. Here we see this little bush spitting fire 🔥 from it's mouth threatening to be a towering inferno over the towering trees. It can give no shade under the bush and yet wants the trees to come under it's thorny, prickly and irritating atmosphere to take shelter. This represented Abimelech who became a dictator instead of a King and destroyed the people, Judges 9: 14-15.
The arrogant bramble bush who had no contribution to make for the society, unlike the trees and the Vine, only seeked destruction, while the trees and Vine knew their place and contributed without holding any position. Abimelech the useless bramble abused and misused power who seeked to remove, uproot and totally destroy anyone who seemed greater than him eventually got killed, through a cracked skull and own sword, to fulfill the curse of Jotham, Judges 9:22-57.
There are so many brambles in this world, unleashing their fiery threats subtely on innocent people, making tall claims, hidden agendas false promises, spreading fake news and has no governance when they come to power. Those who bear fruit for the public good, are justly respected and honoured by all the people, more than those who merely make a figure for selfish ambition. We should serve for the good of others, willing to forgo promotion for self interest and personal gain. Brambles are unfit to rule, they are only good for burning. They can make a lot of crackling noise but has no voice.
What is important is to serve God faithfully bearing fruit where we are planted to be the Light in Dark places flowing and glowing in His Glory. The Fruit Trees and Vines will be known by their fruit, Jesus said you can never pick grapes or figs, (or Olives...paraphrased)from a thornbush, Matthew 7:16....
Amen.
40 Lashes?
Deuteronomy 25:3
But *never give more than forty lashes; more than forty lashes would publicly humiliate your neighbour*.
Mark 15:19,20
And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship.
*When they were finally tired of mocking him*, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
- But why Jesus was not rightly justified?
- They didn’t limit the number of lashes/strikes but they struck him until they were tired
*He was humiliated for you and me, to win our heart. He paid a great price for us because he loves us abundantly.*
*Our life is so precious to him*
*No one loves us more than God*
But *never give more than forty lashes; more than forty lashes would publicly humiliate your neighbour*.
- It’s God’s righteous law for any person not to be punished to have more than 40 lashes
Mark 15:19,20
And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship.
*When they were finally tired of mocking him*, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
- But why Jesus was not rightly justified?
- They didn’t limit the number of lashes/strikes but they struck him until they were tired
*He was humiliated for you and me, to win our heart. He paid a great price for us because he loves us abundantly.*
*Our life is so precious to him*
*No one loves us more than God*
Sin against Holy Spirit - unforgivable?
“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Matthew 12:32 NIV
The Pharisees had blasphemed against the spirit by attributing the power by which Christ did miracles to Satan (Matt 12:24) instead of the Holy Spirit. The unpardonable sin is the deliberate refusal to acknowledge God’s power in Christ. It indicates a deliberate and irreversible hardness of heart.
Sometimes believers worry that they have accidentally committed this unforgivable sin. But only those who have turned their backs on God and rejected all faith have any need to worry. Jesus said, they can’t be forgiven - not because their sin is worse than any other but because they will never ask for forgiveness. Whoever rejects the prompting of the Holy Spirit removes himself or herself from the only force that can lead him or her to repentance and restoration to God.
- [ ] *Are you being prompted and rejecting the prompting of God?
Are you too stubborn to ask for forgiveness??
There is a chance that you never could be forgiven.
May the Lord fill all of us with the Holy Spirit and turn our hearts towards Him in Jesus name. Amen 🙏🏼*
Matthew 12:32 NIV
The Pharisees had blasphemed against the spirit by attributing the power by which Christ did miracles to Satan (Matt 12:24) instead of the Holy Spirit. The unpardonable sin is the deliberate refusal to acknowledge God’s power in Christ. It indicates a deliberate and irreversible hardness of heart.
Sometimes believers worry that they have accidentally committed this unforgivable sin. But only those who have turned their backs on God and rejected all faith have any need to worry. Jesus said, they can’t be forgiven - not because their sin is worse than any other but because they will never ask for forgiveness. Whoever rejects the prompting of the Holy Spirit removes himself or herself from the only force that can lead him or her to repentance and restoration to God.
- [ ] *Are you being prompted and rejecting the prompting of God?
Are you too stubborn to ask for forgiveness??
There is a chance that you never could be forgiven.
May the Lord fill all of us with the Holy Spirit and turn our hearts towards Him in Jesus name. Amen 🙏🏼*
Greatest in the kingdom
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, *“Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”* He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. *Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven*. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. *“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”* Matthew 18:1-6 NIV
The disciples has become so preoccupied with the organisation of Jesus’ earthly kingdom that they had lost sight of its Divine purpose. *Instead of seeking a place of service, they sought positions of advantage*. It is easy to loose of eternal perspective and complete for promotions or status in the church. It is difficult, but healthy with children - weak and dependent people with no status or influence.
*Children are trusting by nature. Because they trust adults, they are easily lead to faith in Christ. God holds parents and other adults accountable for how they influence these little ones. Jesus warned that anyone who turns little children away from faith in him will receive severe punishment.*
The disciples has become so preoccupied with the organisation of Jesus’ earthly kingdom that they had lost sight of its Divine purpose. *Instead of seeking a place of service, they sought positions of advantage*. It is easy to loose of eternal perspective and complete for promotions or status in the church. It is difficult, but healthy with children - weak and dependent people with no status or influence.
*Children are trusting by nature. Because they trust adults, they are easily lead to faith in Christ. God holds parents and other adults accountable for how they influence these little ones. Jesus warned that anyone who turns little children away from faith in him will receive severe punishment.*