365 Reflections

Lamentations 4 is another sad poem chronicling Israel's demise as she lies in exile. The passage gives far more clarity than others as to the people's perception of themselves before their defeat by the Babylonians.  We find that people were unaware that anything like this could ever happen. First, Jeremiah laments the tarnish on her royalty by noting the gold is now diminished: Lamentations 4:1–2 (ESV) How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street. 2 The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands! Riches blind a person and a country. They make you think you are impervious to disaster. But there are many ways to lose money. One of the consistent warnings in the Old and New Testaments is how unreliable wealth is to one's defense of life.  Proverbs 23:4–5 (ESV)  Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. 5...

Remember Johanan from Jeremiah 41? The man who saved many others from the threats of the murderous coup? He seemed like a noble leader. But time reveals a lot.  Jeremiah 42:5–6 (ESV)  Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us. 6 Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.” These are the words of the presumptive leaders of Israel in the land while the nation is in exile. The previous chapter saw a hero arise to protect a few remaining survivors. His name was Johanan. On the surface, he seems like a good man, seeking the will of the Lord in his leadership position. Jeremiah returns with directives from the Lord: Jeremiah 42:10 (ESV) If you will remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down; I will plant y...

Isaiah 3...  Isaiah 3:1–3 (ESV) For behold, the Lord GOD of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; 2 the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, 3 the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. When God judges a nation He begins by removing good leadership. He allows the folly of that people to replace wise and noble leaders (both spiritually and civilly) with immature self-indulgent youth. I did not say this. Isaiah did. In Isaiah 3:1-3 he describes the removal by God's hand of the strong leadership in men in all avenues of society - the military, the courts, the religious system, and the community.  In the next verse he stipulates who replaces them: Isaiah 3:4 (ESV) And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. In verse 12 we get another picture... Isaiah 3:12 (ESV) My p...

In the final chapter of Nehemiah, we see that getting the walls built and the people located in the city was just the beginning. The fight for the community commences almost immediately thereafter.  The old saying goes, "When the cat's away, the mice will play." That's what happens to Nehemiah in the thirteenth chapter. He travels back to Persia for a time and comes back to the unconscionable news that his arch-enemy Tobiah has been given an important place in the temple precinct! Nehemiah 13:4–5 (ESV) Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah , 5 prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. Nepotism with the enemy is what causes Eliashib to do this terrible thi...

The narrative of Nehemiah is dead on about leadership. I can attest from experience. There are constant attacks facing the work of the Lord. I have only two decades of ministry leadership experience and as I read this text I'm overwhelmed by the corollary realities presented which Nehemiah faced. God's people are hard to get moving in the right direction, you'll always have enemies, you'll face internal struggles, and the organization will grow weary and discouraged on a regular basis. Nehemiah 5 left off with Nehemiah reversing the unfair economic practices among the Jews who were enslaving and extorting each other. Nehemiah not only stops the vicious financial practices of Jews against each other, but he also models remarkable generosity toward the workers, hosting regular feasts at his own expense and refusing the normative financial perks as governor.  The last line of chapter 5 is a call for God's remembrance of these acts: Nehemiah 5:19 (ESV) Remember for my g...

The Lord's people have a bad habit of not supporting each other. Many times throughout history, they have exploited and taken advantage of one another. Such was the case in Nehemiah 5. Having had great success against the external threats toward them from the Samaritans and neighbors, the internal threats begin again. This time in a matter that aggravated families. Jews were enslaving each other. The result was poverty and outcry: Nehemiah 5:1–2 (ESV) Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” The text continues to lists what had transpired as a result: Nehemiah 5:3–5 (ESV) There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” 4 And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our ...

How do you know you're called to something? A few realities emerge along the way.  FIRST: You can't stop until it's done: Nehemiah 2:9–12 (ESV) Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. 11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. Nehemiah has authority and resources from the king yet he makes his way to Jerusalem and immediately finds resistance. Sanballat and Tobiah will be thorns in his side during this work. But it proves once again in the scriptures - as soon as you step out in faith for the Lo...

If you want to measure ministry and/or leadership effectiveness, look at Ezra. Ezra is not known for powerful miracles or wise administration, although he did possess the latter. The main effect of Ezra's leadership was his humble obedience to and reliance upon God. Notice how the last chapter of the book opens: Ezra 10:1 (ESV) While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. Ezra is still broken up about the intermarriage among Israel's people, especially that of her priests. This was a huge no-no and the original reason for the demise of the country. Led by Solomon centuries earlier, the nation was joined both spiritually and emotionally to pagan women who led their men away from the Lord. Now Ezra, on behalf of the people's evil, makes confession and humbles himself in prayer for the nation. And notice what it sa...

How does a nation decline? Look at Israel. We come to the final chapter of the second book of Chronicles having examined from 1 Samuel to now that people very rarely got it right when it came to picking leaders. It started with Saul, then David was God’s choice, and after him a series of good, not so good and evil kings (not necessarily in that order) reigned over Israel and Judah. But if we look closely at the final days of the southern kingdom, we see a wide-angle lens view of what went wrong.  2 Chronicles 36:1 (ESV) The people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and made him king in his father’s place in Jerusalem. Notice who put Jehoahaz on the throne? The people. This is how Israel got into this mess. They asked for a king and God gave them one who enslaved their sons and taxed them. Reprieve and greatness came when David was selected to replace Saul. Then there was the pinnacle of the kingdom under Solomon followed by Rehoboam and the secession of the northern tribes...

The division of Israel happens soon after Solomon. Evidently, the extraordinary cost of the temple and the excesses of the kingdom cost the people greatly and they came to Solomon's son, Rehoboam with a request... to lighten their load.  2 Chronicles 10:4 (ESV) “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” The first step of Rehoboam's response is a good one. He consults the older men of the kingdom: 2 Chronicles 10:6–7 (ESV) Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” 7 And they said to him, “If you will be good to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” Sadly, he rejects their advice, turns to his young contemporaries and accepts their infamous counsel: 2 Chronicles 10:10–11 (ESV) And the young men who h...

1 Chronicles 21:1–4 (ESV) Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.” 3 But Joab said, “May the LORD add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?” 4 But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. This chapter picks up on a particular sin of David recorded also in 2 Samuel 24. David takes a census of the nation. The account in 2 Samuel 24 says God was the instigator of the moment. Here, it is Satan. Why the difference? It's the Bible's way of saying the same thing in two ways. Yes, Satan incited David but the Lord was ultimately in charge of the entire moment.  The narrative of...

The Church is an intergenerational movement built on the leading fathers and mothers investing in and believing in the sons and daughters of successive leaders. Yet one of the great obstacles of many future leaders is their own lack of confidence once the torch has been passed. It's very hard to start in ministry. You go in a moment from being brothers and sisters with the flock of God to being their shepherd and spiritual parent. This hurdle keeps many great leaders from reaching their potential. Yet Elisha wonderfully exhibits the pathway forward by taking the mantle from Elijah and using his God-given authority to serve the needs of those Elijah left in his care. First, after the departure of Elijah, Elisha takes the cloak that fell from Elijah and performs a repeat of Elijah's last miracle: 2 Kings 2:13–14 (ESV) And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fal...

Solomon's reign is described succinctly here: 1 Kings 4:20–21 (ESV)  Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy. 21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life. The promise made to Abraham is now fulfilled. It took hundreds of years and many generations but Israel is now as numerous as the sand on the sea. Sadly, it will not stay this way but we should take note of what went into making this happen: Godly LEADERSHIP. It began with Moses, then Joshua, some good Judges, Samuel and David, now Solomon. In the end, people need leaders who will guide them along the path God has laid out for them. Here we see the "provision" (ate and drank) of Israel, and the emotional well being of Israel (happiness) connected to the wise RULE of Solomon. The purpose of leadership and authority is to care...

At the end of the battle between David and Absalom, we see David's experience, humility, and commitment to empowering leaders beyond himself proving to be the difference. The text wants us to see how David goes to work putting the right battle plan in place versus Absalom. He has established and experienced leaders to give charge of the men. These are men David has believed in and shaped. 2 Samuel 18:1–2 (ESV)  Then David mustered the men who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David sent out the army, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite . And the king said to the men, “I myself will also go out with you.” Notice Ittai the Gittite, who only recently joined David, in fact, the day before David fled the city! Now that same Ittai will command one-third of the entire army. That's called trust! Dav...

2 Samuel 15:14–16 (ESV) Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.” 16 So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house. David runs from Absalom's banana republic kingdom. This has to be one of the silliest exiles in the Bible. For what the narrative unpacks for us is how intimidation at the Absalom's taunt is completely unjustified. David's kingdom is strong behind him and deeply loves him. Yet fear has taken hold of his life and he impulsively flees thinking the end has come. The text lists the number of people who flee with David from the foreign lands where David had been so su...

Thus far in 2 Samuel, those who were in Saul's camp have proven to be anything but loyal. Consider how much betrayal exists in the first four chapters of 2 Samuel. First was the Amalekite who killed Saul and thought himself righteous for it. David put him to death. Then there was Abner's manipulative support for Ish-Bosheth. He eventually was offended and turned on him. Now, two more men prove to be opportunistic and vengeful as they put Ish-Bosheth to death. 2 Samuel 4:5–6 (ESV) Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ish-bosheth as he was taking his noonday rest. 6 And they came into the midst of the house as if to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. This murder is incredibly diabolical. They came to Ish-Bosheth under false pretenses, then while he was unarmed and resting they brutally murdered him in cold blood. After this, they see...

David's kingdom is at hand. His enemies are growing smaller and his following is growing larger. On top of this, defection from Saul's ranks is on the horizon. All things seem to be coming together for David. So it's really sad to see what happens early on in his reign at Hebron. For just when the Lord is about to bring His kingdom to fulness, David begins building the kingdom on his own terms with his own imaginations. 2 Samuel 3:2–5 (ESV)   And sons were born to David at Hebron : his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. Now David is doing what ancient kings NORMALLY did in those days. Sons for a King in the ancient world were emblem...

David put a lot of men to death during his life. He killed Goliath, he raided the land of Israel constantly. He seemed to be surrounded by blood. But there's one death we kind of skim over in reading the Bible that we should pause to take notice of. At the end of 1 Samuel David has raided the Amalekites and won back his property and wives and those of his men. At the same time, the Philistines overcome Saul and he attempts suicide. Evidently, he failed. We pick up the report from the young man who was there: 2 Samuel 1:6–10 (ESV)  And the young man who told him (David) said, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were close upon him. 7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 8 And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9 And he said to me, ‘Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still...

1 Samuel 30:23–24 (ESV) But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. 24 Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” This passage seems pointless to the reader longing for a resolution to David's plight in running from Saul. He has recovered his wives, children and possessions. He has secured a great victory for his men. Yet upon return from the battle, some men the Bible calls, "worthless fellows" in David's army suggested that not everyone was worthy of a share in the spoils of war. They are referring to the 200 men who are described as "too exhausted to cross the brook Besor" in verse 10 of the chapter. They stayed behind while David and his 400 men went after the Amalekite raiders. David totally rejects the suggestion ...

In 1 Samuel 30, David hits an all-time low. He's been running from Saul, he's been rejected by the Philistines, and now he returns home to find his wives and children and his men's wives and children taken captive by the Amalekites. 1 Samuel 30:3 (ESV) And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. The response of David and his men is totally understandable.  1 Samuel 30:4 (ESV)   Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep . But what is worse for David is that his men begin to turn on him. And why wouldn't they? They have suffered only loss since coming to his aid. Consider that these men were the ones already beaten down by the forces of Saul's kingdom. They came to David for relief and all they experienced was rejection. Remember? 1 Samuel 22:2 (ESV) And everyone who was in distress, and everyone w...