Before Abraham Was I AM - Jesus
Psalm 119:49-56
Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
Reflection: The psalmist clings to God’s Word despite his current suffering. God’s Word gives him hope that in spite of current conditions, he will not only survive but thrive. He finds comfort in knowing that there is something greater than himself that is holding all things together. Though he would like to take matters into his own hand, he trusts that God will remember him and uphold his name. Importantly you can see that is it his relationship with God that reminds him to keep His law. He has made a practice of obeying God’s precepts in season and out of season, and he knows God will eventually honor him for his faithfulness even though he can’t see the fruit right now!
Sometimes when we are faithful and obedient, the conditions around us will not always be in line with God’s perfect will. Why? Because we still live in a world dominated by sin and our enemy. Yet, God’s promise is that those who persevere will eventually shine like the sun. Do not grow weary in good for in time you will reap a harvest of righteousness.
2 Samuel 13:34-14:33
Absalom Returns to Jerusalem
14 Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. 2 So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead. 3 Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth. 4 When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell with her face to the ground to pay him honor, and she said, “Help me, Your Majesty!” 5 The king asked her, “What is troubling you?” She said, “I am a widow; my husband is dead. 6 I your servant had two sons. They got into a fight with each other in the field, and no one was there to separate them. One struck the other and killed him. 7 Now the whole clan has risen up against your servant; they say, ‘Hand over the one who struck his brother down, so that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed; then we will get rid of the heir as well.’ They would put out the only burning coal I have left, leaving my husband neither name nor descendant on the face of the earth.” 8 The king said to the woman, “Go home, and I will issue an order in your behalf.” 9 But the woman from Tekoa said to him, “Let my lord the king pardon me and my family, and let the king and his throne be without guilt.” 10 The king replied, “If anyone says anything to you, bring them to me, and they will not bother you again.” 11 She said, “Then let the king invoke the Lord his God to prevent the avenger of blood from adding to the destruction, so that my son will not be destroyed.” “As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “not one hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.” 12 Then the woman said, “Let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.” “Speak,” he replied. 13 The woman said, “Why then have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says this, does he not convict himself, for the king has not brought back his banished son? 14 Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him. 15 “And now I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. Your servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king; perhaps he will grant his servant’s request. 16 Perhaps the king will agree to deliver his servant from the hand of the man who is trying to cut off both me and my son from God’s inheritance.’ 17 “And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king secure my inheritance, for my lord the king is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil. May the Lord your God be with you.’” 18 Then the king said to the woman, “Don’t keep from me the answer to what I am going to ask you.” “Let my lord the king speak,” the woman said. 19 The king asked, “Isn’t the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything my lord the king says. Yes, it was your servant Joab who instructed me to do this and who put all these words into the mouth of your servant. 20 Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God—he knows everything that happens in the land.” 21 The king said to Joab, “Very well, I will do it. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.” 22 Joab fell with his face to the ground to pay him honor, and he blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that he has found favor in your eyes, my lord the king, because the king has granted his servant’s request.” 23 Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. 24 But the king said, “He must go to his own house; he must not see my face.” So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king. 25 In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him. 26 Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut his hair once a year because it became too heavy for him—he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekel by the royal standard. 27 Three sons and a daughter were born to Absalom. His daughter’s name was Tamar, and she became a beautiful woman. 28 Absalom lived two years in Jerusalem without seeing the king’s face. 29 Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So he sent a second time, but he refused to come. 30 Then he said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab did go to Absalom’s house, and he said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?” 32 Absalom said to Joab, “Look, I sent word to you and said, ‘Come here so I can send you to the king to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there!”’ Now then, I want to see the king’s face, and if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.” 33 So Joab went to the king and told him this. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom.
Reflection: In these chapters we see lots of drama resulting from Ammon’s rape of his half-sister Tamar, who is the sister of Absalom. Absalom and Tamar, are both children of Maacah, a princess from the neighboring town of Geshur. Absalom is the third son of King David and the only one born of royal blood. We will see the love-hate relationship between David and Absalom transpire over the following chapters. If you would like to read a helpful synopsis of all that is going on here (it takes a while to get it all straight!) check out this link.
http://www.womeninthebible.net/Maacah_wife_of_David.htm#Absalom%20Returns
Through it all we see again how the earthly kingdom and king are never a reflection of God’s kingdom here on earth. When the earthly men are involved trying to bring in God’s kingdom it is always beset by sin, pride, lust and host of other sins. That is why we see all of this drama and it is all a foreshadowing of why the world needs a real King, the King of Kings to come, who will come by the way from the house and line of David!
John 8:42-59 New International Version (NIV)
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Jesus’ Claims About Himself
48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” 49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” 52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” 54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” 57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” 58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
Reflection: We see Jesus’ altercation with the Pharisees picking up heat and intensity. As the Pharisees try to grill him, Jesus reveals His true identity more and more. He tells them that He is from the Father and does what the Father tells him to do, and they do not recognize it because their father is the devil. Wow! Jesus doesn’t mince words. Then they claim he has a demon! You can see this is a full blown argument here. It then goes to the point where they try to prove that Abraham died and how could he have known Jesus. Then at the height of the debate, Jesus says something which absolutely belies who He is and where He came from. He answers, “Before Abraham was born I am.”
If you were following the Greek, the words are “eigo eimi”, which is the Greek translation for the Hebrew word “Yahweh” in the Old Testament, which means the LORD (this is capitalized because of the sacredness of the Divine Name!” This was the name the Lord gave to Moses when Moses asked him for a name, “Tell them “I am” sent you.”
When they hear this they are furious because it is now clear Jesus is claiming to be God and instead of recognizing He is the Messiah not only by what he has said, his clear fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies by where he was born and what He does, they try to stone him! This conversation is the linchpin and now the Jews will look for a way to get rid of Jesus for claiming to be God.
So there you have it. Jesus claimed to be God in the clearest possible way and was ready to go to death for it. So the question remains: either He is God or not! If He is God than He is the Messiah and Lord will also return in great glory. If he is not he is an imposter, hoax and a liar of the worst possible kind. You can’t have it either way, either Jesus is the Son of God or not? Who do you say He is?
It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples. It was because the Lord loved you. Deuteronomy 7:7-8
God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are. 1 Corinthians 1:28
O God of wisdom, God of love, you have chosen us and we are your people. Enduring God, may the world see that we are yours by the love we spread into our communities. Amen.
Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
Reflection: The psalmist clings to God’s Word despite his current suffering. God’s Word gives him hope that in spite of current conditions, he will not only survive but thrive. He finds comfort in knowing that there is something greater than himself that is holding all things together. Though he would like to take matters into his own hand, he trusts that God will remember him and uphold his name. Importantly you can see that is it his relationship with God that reminds him to keep His law. He has made a practice of obeying God’s precepts in season and out of season, and he knows God will eventually honor him for his faithfulness even though he can’t see the fruit right now!
Sometimes when we are faithful and obedient, the conditions around us will not always be in line with God’s perfect will. Why? Because we still live in a world dominated by sin and our enemy. Yet, God’s promise is that those who persevere will eventually shine like the sun. Do not grow weary in good for in time you will reap a harvest of righteousness.
2 Samuel 13:34-14:33
Absalom Returns to Jerusalem
14 Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. 2 So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead. 3 Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth. 4 When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell with her face to the ground to pay him honor, and she said, “Help me, Your Majesty!” 5 The king asked her, “What is troubling you?” She said, “I am a widow; my husband is dead. 6 I your servant had two sons. They got into a fight with each other in the field, and no one was there to separate them. One struck the other and killed him. 7 Now the whole clan has risen up against your servant; they say, ‘Hand over the one who struck his brother down, so that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed; then we will get rid of the heir as well.’ They would put out the only burning coal I have left, leaving my husband neither name nor descendant on the face of the earth.” 8 The king said to the woman, “Go home, and I will issue an order in your behalf.” 9 But the woman from Tekoa said to him, “Let my lord the king pardon me and my family, and let the king and his throne be without guilt.” 10 The king replied, “If anyone says anything to you, bring them to me, and they will not bother you again.” 11 She said, “Then let the king invoke the Lord his God to prevent the avenger of blood from adding to the destruction, so that my son will not be destroyed.” “As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “not one hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.” 12 Then the woman said, “Let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.” “Speak,” he replied. 13 The woman said, “Why then have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says this, does he not convict himself, for the king has not brought back his banished son? 14 Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him. 15 “And now I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. Your servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king; perhaps he will grant his servant’s request. 16 Perhaps the king will agree to deliver his servant from the hand of the man who is trying to cut off both me and my son from God’s inheritance.’ 17 “And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king secure my inheritance, for my lord the king is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil. May the Lord your God be with you.’” 18 Then the king said to the woman, “Don’t keep from me the answer to what I am going to ask you.” “Let my lord the king speak,” the woman said. 19 The king asked, “Isn’t the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything my lord the king says. Yes, it was your servant Joab who instructed me to do this and who put all these words into the mouth of your servant. 20 Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God—he knows everything that happens in the land.” 21 The king said to Joab, “Very well, I will do it. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.” 22 Joab fell with his face to the ground to pay him honor, and he blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that he has found favor in your eyes, my lord the king, because the king has granted his servant’s request.” 23 Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. 24 But the king said, “He must go to his own house; he must not see my face.” So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king. 25 In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him. 26 Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut his hair once a year because it became too heavy for him—he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekel by the royal standard. 27 Three sons and a daughter were born to Absalom. His daughter’s name was Tamar, and she became a beautiful woman. 28 Absalom lived two years in Jerusalem without seeing the king’s face. 29 Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So he sent a second time, but he refused to come. 30 Then he said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab did go to Absalom’s house, and he said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?” 32 Absalom said to Joab, “Look, I sent word to you and said, ‘Come here so I can send you to the king to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there!”’ Now then, I want to see the king’s face, and if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.” 33 So Joab went to the king and told him this. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom.
Reflection: In these chapters we see lots of drama resulting from Ammon’s rape of his half-sister Tamar, who is the sister of Absalom. Absalom and Tamar, are both children of Maacah, a princess from the neighboring town of Geshur. Absalom is the third son of King David and the only one born of royal blood. We will see the love-hate relationship between David and Absalom transpire over the following chapters. If you would like to read a helpful synopsis of all that is going on here (it takes a while to get it all straight!) check out this link.
http://www.womeninthebible.net/Maacah_wife_of_David.htm#Absalom%20Returns
Through it all we see again how the earthly kingdom and king are never a reflection of God’s kingdom here on earth. When the earthly men are involved trying to bring in God’s kingdom it is always beset by sin, pride, lust and host of other sins. That is why we see all of this drama and it is all a foreshadowing of why the world needs a real King, the King of Kings to come, who will come by the way from the house and line of David!
John 8:42-59 New International Version (NIV)
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Jesus’ Claims About Himself
48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” 49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” 52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” 54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” 57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” 58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
Reflection: We see Jesus’ altercation with the Pharisees picking up heat and intensity. As the Pharisees try to grill him, Jesus reveals His true identity more and more. He tells them that He is from the Father and does what the Father tells him to do, and they do not recognize it because their father is the devil. Wow! Jesus doesn’t mince words. Then they claim he has a demon! You can see this is a full blown argument here. It then goes to the point where they try to prove that Abraham died and how could he have known Jesus. Then at the height of the debate, Jesus says something which absolutely belies who He is and where He came from. He answers, “Before Abraham was born I am.”
If you were following the Greek, the words are “eigo eimi”, which is the Greek translation for the Hebrew word “Yahweh” in the Old Testament, which means the LORD (this is capitalized because of the sacredness of the Divine Name!” This was the name the Lord gave to Moses when Moses asked him for a name, “Tell them “I am” sent you.”
When they hear this they are furious because it is now clear Jesus is claiming to be God and instead of recognizing He is the Messiah not only by what he has said, his clear fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies by where he was born and what He does, they try to stone him! This conversation is the linchpin and now the Jews will look for a way to get rid of Jesus for claiming to be God.
So there you have it. Jesus claimed to be God in the clearest possible way and was ready to go to death for it. So the question remains: either He is God or not! If He is God than He is the Messiah and Lord will also return in great glory. If he is not he is an imposter, hoax and a liar of the worst possible kind. You can’t have it either way, either Jesus is the Son of God or not? Who do you say He is?
It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples. It was because the Lord loved you. Deuteronomy 7:7-8
God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are. 1 Corinthians 1:28
O God of wisdom, God of love, you have chosen us and we are your people. Enduring God, may the world see that we are yours by the love we spread into our communities. Amen.
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