The Peacemakers

“I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou sleekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?”

— 2nd Samuel 20:19

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

— Matthew 5:9

Solomon under the inspiration of the Spirit writes,

“There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city, yet no man remembered that same poor man…[1]

This nameless woman saves the day with the kind of wisdom Solomon describes in Ecclesiastes. She boasts not in her own righteousness, but in the Lord’s grace that has made the town of Abel and its inhabitants part of the Lord’s covenant people. Her calling and election has been made sure by years of walking with the Lord and meditating on the scriptures. “For the LORD’S portion is his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritance[2].”

As we meditate on the scriptures we become more conformed to Christ. Where it says, “Be strong and very courageous[3]” this woman was empowered by the Lord to confront a mighty man of war alone and negotiate peace for her town. “Blessed are the peacemakers[4]” the Lord tells us, and so she brings a message of peace. “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, “Thy face, LORD, will I seek[5].” The Lord’s grace leaves its mark on us, bringing forth fruit in its season[6]. At any age or stage of life He has ordained good works for us[7] to do and He will see to it that we accomplish them. May He satisfy you with long life and show you his salvation[8].

Scripture References: [1] Ecc 9:14-15 [2] Deut 32:9 [3] Josh 1:7 [4] Mth 5:9. [5] Ps 27:8 [6] Ps 1:3 [7] Eph 2:10 [8] Ps 91:16

But GOD who is Rich...

“And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live” — Ezekiel 16:6

Image credit: Jill Sauve via Unsplash creative commons license

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)…” — Ephesians 2:4-5

The people of God do well to remember that no one who is elect of God is so because they are “better” than others, or because God foresaw some potential good in them. Indeed, believers can sin as much as the ungodly. It is GOD who is rich in mercy that glorifies himself in our salvation. He does not “reward us” with salvation, it is not something we can ever possibly deserve. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people[1]…. For my strength is made perfect in weakness.[2]

Just as there is nothing special in us at present, nor anything good we may do in the future that causes God to elect us, he does not consider our past — our nationality, heritage, upbringing or the righteousness of our parents in His decision in who to save. Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; Thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother was an Hittite[3].

If the Bible tells us to owe no man anything[4] then surely God will not be indebted to any of us. Instead let us pray that he would beautify us with salvation[5] for His name’s sake.

“And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.”

Selah.

Scripture References: [1] Deut 7:7 [2] 2nd Cor 12:9 [3] Ezk 16:3 [4] Rom 13:8 [5] Ps 149:4

Make Us Like All the Nations

“…now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”— 1st Samuel 8:5

“The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.” — John 19:15

Image credit: Gvantsa Javakhishvili via Unsplash creative commons

As dogs return to their vomit[1]so the unregenerate will always prefer the bondage of tyrants over the liberty of the Spirit[2]. Towards the end of Samuel’s life and career as judge of Israel the people desired a king to rule over them, “like all the nations.”

Moses indeed predicted that Israel would one day raise up a king:

“When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me[3]…”

And in that prediction the people of God were explicitly forbidden from raising up a foreign king: “Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.[4]”

In their worldliness and hardness of heart the people attempted to overthrow God’s established order and set up a dynasty of their own choosing. The Lord bid Samuel to grant them their request, saying “they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me[5].” Likewise, by the time of Christ’s incarnation the Israelites have rejected the King of Kings and acknowledge only the pagan emperor of Rome as their king, in complete defiance of the law of Moses the Pharisees pretended to uphold. They swore up and down that they were Abraham’s seed and they “were never in bondage to any man[6]” even as they paid heavy tribute to Caesar[7].

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members[8]. We all have this carnal mind that exalts sin and loves the world. Apart from the intervention of the Holy Spirit, we will remain dead in our sins, never supposing that there is anything wrong with us. We will be like all the other people around us, eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, not realizing what is going on until the flood comes[9] and takes us all away.

Be careful not to go the way of the world, setting up foreign kings and strange gods in your heart.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen[10]

Scripture References: [1] Prov 26:11 [2] 2nd Cor 3:17 [3] Deut 17:14 [4] Deut 17:15 [5] 1st Sam 8:7 [6] John 8:33 [7] Luke 20:22, Mth 17:24 [8] Rom 7:23 [9] Mth 24:38-39 [10] 1st John 5:21