Your Words Are Like Honey...
Psalm 119:97-104
Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
Reflection: We see David’s love, his delight in the Law. The understanding it gives him makes him wiser than the elders. He uses the metaphor that God’s words are like honey and sweet to the taste. He uses the term “meditate” twice. To meditate is the chew on and digest like a good steak. Often we treat the bible like “fast food”, we grab it eat it and go on our way without ever meditating on it. Of course all this takes time the most precious commodity in our culture. Take time to not only read God’s Word but meditate on it. As you chew on God’s Word it will become part of you in a deeper way so that when the wrong path is before you it will be clear for you to walk in the way of the Lord.
2 Samuel 19:31-20:26
31 Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.” 34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.” 38 The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.” 39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and bid him farewell, and Barzillai returned to his home. 40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over.
41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?” 42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?” 43 Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel.
Sheba Rebels Against David
20 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. 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. 4 Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.” 5 But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him. 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.” 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.
Reflection: No sooner does David have victory, and we see the coming together of the two major branches of Israel, Israel and Judah, then the men of Israel start protesting that they were not part of the rededication ceremony for the King. They realize that the royal line comes through David and his father Jesse, and they are jealous that they are not as connected as the two tribes of Judah (Judah and Benjamin). They even reason is not 10 more than 2 (10 tribes vs. 2 tribes).
As a fruit of this disharmony, Sheba rises up to tries and lead a rebellion, but eventually when David’s men come to the city wall where Sheba is amassing his rebellion, a wise women reason with the people and they hand over Sheba (literally!). Although internal battles are quelled for a while, there will be more external wars soon fulfilling the prophecy to David that the sword would not depart from his house. (cf 2 Samuel 12 when David sent Uriah the Hittite to the front lines to commit adultery with Bathsheba)
John 10:22-33
Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
Reflection: Jesus was in the temple during the Festival of Dedication, known today as Hannukah. It was a time where the Israelites celebrated God faithfulness in the 2nd century B.C. during the Maccabean revolt. There was a lampstand and lights that reflected the burning candles that burned brightly as the Israelites trusting in God to be their light. Now Jesus the light of the world was actually in the temple, yet the leaders did not see the light and were ready to snuff the light out. He explains that everything He does in His Father’s name are evidence that He is the Messiah, yet they refused to believe in them.
Then he uses the metaphor of sheep again to say that His sheep hear His voice and cannot be snatched out of His hand. Then, the Jewish leaders pick up stones to stone him for saying, “I and the Father are One!” If anyone doubted that Jesus claimed to be God read these words carefully. The reason Jesus is brought by the Jewish leaders to be tried by Pilate is because Jesus a mere mortal claimed to be God.
John’s gospel brings this out more clearly than any other gospel, partly because John’s is the evangelical gospel and he is writing an apologetic around the end of the 1st century and disputing one of the first heresies that Jesus only appeared to be a man, but really wasn’t fully human. The fact that Jesus is 100% God, as he claimed in His this passage; and 100% human, as we have seen him live a human life and he will die a human death, proves that He is the Messiah. Only God could die for our sins, any human would have to die for their own, and only God can be raised from the dead. This is the crux of the Christian faith and distinguishes it from any other religion.
Thus far the Lord has helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12
The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed. 2 Timothy 4:17
You are with us always—guiding, comforting and challenging us to continue our journey with and to you. May our steps today bring us closer to you. We pause before you now in gratitude and supplication. Amen.
Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
Reflection: We see David’s love, his delight in the Law. The understanding it gives him makes him wiser than the elders. He uses the metaphor that God’s words are like honey and sweet to the taste. He uses the term “meditate” twice. To meditate is the chew on and digest like a good steak. Often we treat the bible like “fast food”, we grab it eat it and go on our way without ever meditating on it. Of course all this takes time the most precious commodity in our culture. Take time to not only read God’s Word but meditate on it. As you chew on God’s Word it will become part of you in a deeper way so that when the wrong path is before you it will be clear for you to walk in the way of the Lord.
2 Samuel 19:31-20:26
31 Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.” 34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.” 38 The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.” 39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and bid him farewell, and Barzillai returned to his home. 40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over.
41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?” 42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?” 43 Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel.
Sheba Rebels Against David
20 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. 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. 4 Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.” 5 But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him. 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.” 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.
Reflection: No sooner does David have victory, and we see the coming together of the two major branches of Israel, Israel and Judah, then the men of Israel start protesting that they were not part of the rededication ceremony for the King. They realize that the royal line comes through David and his father Jesse, and they are jealous that they are not as connected as the two tribes of Judah (Judah and Benjamin). They even reason is not 10 more than 2 (10 tribes vs. 2 tribes).
As a fruit of this disharmony, Sheba rises up to tries and lead a rebellion, but eventually when David’s men come to the city wall where Sheba is amassing his rebellion, a wise women reason with the people and they hand over Sheba (literally!). Although internal battles are quelled for a while, there will be more external wars soon fulfilling the prophecy to David that the sword would not depart from his house. (cf 2 Samuel 12 when David sent Uriah the Hittite to the front lines to commit adultery with Bathsheba)
John 10:22-33
Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
Reflection: Jesus was in the temple during the Festival of Dedication, known today as Hannukah. It was a time where the Israelites celebrated God faithfulness in the 2nd century B.C. during the Maccabean revolt. There was a lampstand and lights that reflected the burning candles that burned brightly as the Israelites trusting in God to be their light. Now Jesus the light of the world was actually in the temple, yet the leaders did not see the light and were ready to snuff the light out. He explains that everything He does in His Father’s name are evidence that He is the Messiah, yet they refused to believe in them.
Then he uses the metaphor of sheep again to say that His sheep hear His voice and cannot be snatched out of His hand. Then, the Jewish leaders pick up stones to stone him for saying, “I and the Father are One!” If anyone doubted that Jesus claimed to be God read these words carefully. The reason Jesus is brought by the Jewish leaders to be tried by Pilate is because Jesus a mere mortal claimed to be God.
John’s gospel brings this out more clearly than any other gospel, partly because John’s is the evangelical gospel and he is writing an apologetic around the end of the 1st century and disputing one of the first heresies that Jesus only appeared to be a man, but really wasn’t fully human. The fact that Jesus is 100% God, as he claimed in His this passage; and 100% human, as we have seen him live a human life and he will die a human death, proves that He is the Messiah. Only God could die for our sins, any human would have to die for their own, and only God can be raised from the dead. This is the crux of the Christian faith and distinguishes it from any other religion.
Thus far the Lord has helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12
The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed. 2 Timothy 4:17
You are with us always—guiding, comforting and challenging us to continue our journey with and to you. May our steps today bring us closer to you. We pause before you now in gratitude and supplication. Amen.
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