March 30 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 89

In today's reading, the righteous king slips. Although his people do not know what he has done, God does.

Image result for david and nathan wiki commons

DAILY READINGS

2 Samuel 9-12 & Psalm 89

DAILY NOTES

2 Samuel 9

David shows "the kindness of God" to Saul's remaining son, Mephibosheth. Remember him from Chapter 4?

2 Samuel 11

This chapter tells the story of David and Bathsheba. Notice how David tries to cover his deeds. It seems all is unknown to everyone (except Joab), but the next chapter will show us that it was not unknown to God.

Verses 20-21 recall a previous story. Do you remember which one? Which book?

2 Samuel 12

Nathan uses a story to illustrate David's sin. David condemns himself by condemning the rich man who took the poor man's lamb. As David said, "he had not pity."
Verse 11 is a turning point in David's reign. Nathan tells of a time when David will suffer because of what he has done.

Although Nathan tells David he is forgiven--well, his sin is put away and he shall not die--the first thing that happens after this interaction is that David's son (by Bathsheba) dies. So, what Nathan said begins to take form.

Solomon (Jedidiah) is born.

Psalm 89

The psalmist remembers God's covenant with David. Since God was faithful to David, he trusts that God will be faithful to him

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Nathan tells David, "You have utterly scorned the Lord."

The Hebrew text makes this insinuation: you have given the enemies of the Lord opportunity to open their mouths against God.

That's a heavy accusation. Our deeds give others a chance to speak against God? Well, that's not an uncommon thought. How many times have we heard people say something like, "The church is full of hypocrites," or, "church people think they're holier than everyone else."?

While we cannot be held responsible for everyone's desire to turn from God, we do well to understand how much our witness matters.

How many people are hurt when a respected pastor gets caught in a scandal? What effects does it have on the kingdom when a Christian doesn't walk in love?

I can hear Nathan saying to each of us, "You are the man."

Stay blessed...john

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March 31 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 90 David's family situation continues to spiral. In today's reading, David's family is torn apart by rape. As a consequence, David's son sets his eyes on his father's throne. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 13-15 & Psalm 90 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 13:1-14 Amnon was David's first born son (3:2). That may shed light as to why David seems to deal with him so easily (Verse 21). Although he does kind of the same thing later with Absalom. Tamar is Absalom's full sister, half sister to Amnon. Amnon is lovesick with her. He devises a plan, with the help of a friend, to have her enter his chamber (bedroom). Since she was a virgin, she didn't go out and about. She remained in her house, perhaps protected. Tamar knows what will become of her if Amnon goes through with his wishes; she will be left aside, unable to marry (see Verse 20). She seems willing to have become married to Amnon, but his lust clouds h...

January 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 27 We'll be reading about atonement today. T oday's video helps make sense of that biblical theme. DAILY READINGS Exodus 30-31 & Psalm 27 DAILY NOTES Exodus 30:6 Everything has its place. Exodus 30:10 Once a year would be Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Exodus 12-15 The Lord's offering is required of everyone equally (of the appropriate age). Strangely enough, there is a designation of rich and poor. Everyone has just come from Egypt. How has that distinction arisen? Exodus 31:13 It's interesting to compare how the idea of sabbath here relates to previous mentions of it. Exodus 31:18 Moses had written the words down. Now, with merely his finger, God has provided the tablets for all to remember the covenant that has been made. Psalm 27 Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something? The psalmist seems to know the feeling. His final adm...

June 19 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 170 DAILY READINGS Jeremiah 7-9 & Psalm 15 DAILY NOTES Jeremiah 7 Notice the emphasis of God's house having God's name. It belongs to God, but the people, through their unrighteous actions, have made it theirs. God's house has been turned into a "den of robbers" (vs. 11). Remember when Jesus said that (Matthew 21:13)? According to Jesus, what was the Temple supposed to be called? Remember when the people tried to use the ark of the covenant as a weapon against the Philistines (1 Samuel 4)? That was at Shiloh. Jeremiah brings that event to our minds again as a sign (vs. 14). God says that human sacrifice was not his command, nor did it come to his mind. You'll have to do some wrestling with the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac (Genesis 22). Jeremiah 8 Jeremiah (God) says to unearth the kings' bones and lay them before the sun and moon and all the other gods they served and worshiped. Ouch. Even animals ...

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