One Year Bible Friday, June 3rd "Sheba Comes to and End, David Reconciles with the Gibeonites" "Jesus Ascends to the Father and Sends the Holy Spirit to the Apostles"
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The End of Sheba
Sheba continued to try and rally the men of Israel against David. But Joab was not having any of it. He took his men and attacked the town Sheba had gone too. As they were bringing down the fortified wall of the city, a wise woman of the town came out to meet them. The woman reasoned with Joab that the whole town should not be destroyed, as it was an important city of the Lord. Joab agreed to stop attacking if they would throw Sheba's head over the wall. The woman went back to her people and wisely explained Joab's request, which the people heeded. They threw Sheba's head over the wall. With this being done, Joab took all his troops and went back to Israel.
So ended the rebellion of Sheba. Yet the division between Judah and the other eleven tribes of Israel remained. After the death of Solomon there was a civil war that permanently divided the twelve tribes into two nations: the southern Kingdom of Judah and the northern Kingdom of Israel. - Guzik
David Avenges the Gibeonites
A three year famine had afflicted the people of Israel during David's reign. When David asked the Lord about it the Lord said, "The famine came because Saul and his men were guilty of murdering the Gideonites". Notice murder is not the same and carrying out the Lord's command God gave to Joshua when Israel took over the Promised Land. It was done by Saul and his men out of their own blood lust.
In Joshua 9, the people had sworn to Gibeon, a neighboring tribe, they would not harm them. Thus when Saul attacked them he was breaking an oath Israel had made with them.
So David asked the men of Gibeon what they could do about it. The men asked for 7 sons from the house of Saul. David protected Mephibosheth as he had sworn to Jonathan, but gave them seven other of Saul's sons. David kept his promise. When the men had died the famine was over.
It seems unfair that these sons had to die because of the transgressions of their father, Saul. But it shows that God is a righteous and fair God. Somebody had to pay for the senseless murder of these Gibeonites. In a sense, these 7 sons were a sacrifice for the sin Saul had committed. In a sense it is not unlike the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins, though he was not guilty. This satisifed the righteous requirements of the law, because we had all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
We know the author of Acts is the same author of Luke, Luke the doctor and historian. If you read the first verses of Acts and Luke, they virtually say the same thing. Luke's purpose was to write an orderly and historical account of the things that happened among them. This was not some fairly tale, it was an eyewitness account. This makes not only scripture God's authoritative and faithful Word, but also gives credence to the historical nature of the Christian faith.
Luke writes that Jesus appeared to the disciples 40 days after his resurrection teaching them various things about the kingdom. Then, one day when he was eating with them, he reminded them that after he went back to heaven to be with the Father, he would send them the Holy Spirit. He says they were baptized with water once, and now they would be baptized by the Holy Spirit. Baptism means to fully immerse. The water baptism was one of cleansing from sin, and the baptism of the Spirit was one of filling.
The Ascension of Jesus
The apostles were curious as to when the kingdom would be restored and Israel would be freed. They did still not understand the fact that the kingdom was meant for all people, not just Israel. They were still thinking in political, not spiritual terms. Jesus told them they were not to know the time or the dates, because the Father had set them. But in the meantime, he would send them the Holy Spirit and they would be his witnesses testifying to the Good News of Jesus. They would be witnesses to the whole world, starting in Jerusalem, and then going to the ends of the earth. To do this they would be given the power of God through the Holy Spirit, which we will soon see.
Then, Jesus was taken up to be with the Father. As the men looked up, an angel asked them why they were still looking up into heaven. He reminded them that Jesus would come back one day just as he had left.
Notice the disicples still really didn't get the Great Commission. They were still thinking of just their own people. But they will get it eventually fortunately for us!
Matthias Replaces Judas
There was one last matter of business. Someone had to replace Judas. This shows that it was important to have 12 apostles not just 11. When the 11 disciples met their primary purpose was to unite in prayer. There were others there too. Mary, the mother of Jesus, Jesus' brothers, and other women. Remember the important role the women played, which they would continue to play from this point forward.
Then, a larger group of 120 men gathered and Peter preached linking the death and resurrection of Jesus to Old Testament prophecy from King David in the Psalms. Psalm 69 and 109 had also predicted the betrayal of Judas. Now a replacement for Judas was needed to be a WITNESS with them. I.e. the role of an apostle. Both Matthias and Barsabbas were nominated and Matthias was chosen by lot.
Once again we see the events of the last week were predicted in the Old Testament. One of the greatest proofs for the authenticity of the bible and the Christian faith is fulfilled prophecy. The odds of all the prophecies being fulfilled in the New Testament are astronomical. It would take more faith to believe that the bible is not true.
This is a great psalm about how God watches over us day and night! Short and sweet!
This is a great verse showing us the eventual results of a prideful and haughty spirit.
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