Amen. Okay, meet me in second.
Samuel chapter 17. Students of God's word, lovers
of God's word. Second, Samuel chapter 17, I
believe in my estimation we paused at the appropriate place
in this chapter and I'm not going to give much of an
introduction. We're going to go straight into
it and second, Samuel chapter 15 or scuse me 17:15, is, where we
stopped. And this is where we will
continue. And if you've been with us week
after week, it will be easy to follow with me.
If not, let me give you a brief reminder of, where we're at who
shy? David's, friend is injured.
Jerusalem in God's perfect timing.
He is brought before Absalom, Absalom, strangely Astro, who
shies advice of what they should do.
Concerning King David. Hoosh.
I gave advice, and this advice was veiled, veiled for the
benefit of David and this advice had one strategy to cause delay
in order for David to win more time with his men, in order to
better be better prepared for the invasion of Absalom and all
of Israel. And at this point we see that
God gives us a commentary that the reason why who shies advice
was accepted, was not because of his eloquence and he was a, he
was a great communicator. He was rich with metaphor and
how he described the situation, how to present his case, it
wasn't because of his boldness. It wasn't because of his
confidence. It was because of what we see
here in verse 14, Verse 14. The second part for the Lord,
had ordained to defeat the Good Counsel of ahithophel.
So that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom, that's why
God had determined to destroy Absalom through these means, but
there's still a human element to all of this, right?
And that's what we're going to see.
So we get a glimpse of the Heavenly perspective.
Now we come back to the ground and we watch what's about to
take place and how absalom's defeat will unfold.
Verse 15. We read then who shy said to
zadok and abiathar the priest, the sand.
So that I he thoughtful Council Absalom and the Elders of Israel
and the sand. So I have counseled have I
counseled rather now therefore send quickly until David do not
stay tonight at the Ford's of the Wilderness.
But by all means Passover less the king and all the people who
are with him, be swallowed up. This is interesting.
Who shies advice was received. Absalom would wait, instead of
pouncing upon David, that very night and gather as many men as
possible in order to overwhelm David with the sheer number of
people on his side. And yet though, Absalom had
affirmed that this was going to be the plan who shy still senses
this urgency and sends message to David to leave as soon as
possible to flee as quickly as possible.
And what's going on, who shies mind for him to have such
urgency and there's simply one answer to that, he was under the
impression that at any moment, Absalom can change his mind that
in the same way, he was willing to hear.
I feel full and reject his counsel and embrace who shies he
can revert just as quickly. And so with a realistic
understanding of the fickleness of Absalom Precise concerned, he
sends word to David. He says, as soon as you can
leave cross the border gold cross, the river and hide and
prepare, don't wait one moment because you never know.
This man is unpredictable and you cannot assume based on what
he said that you have the Assurance of more time.
You might not have more time, you have to act.
Now, this is not something to consider further.
This is something consider. Italy in to act upon
immediately. Now if this is who shies heart
and is urgency concerning this matter, how much more the
believer with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Right?
When we present the truth, we must present it with urgency
now. You heard last week when we
study about the need to count the cost and that's what who shy
did for apps of. Hey, you better realize what
you're up against your before you pull the trigger and that's
true as well. But there is still an urgency in
the urgency of hearing the gospel and responding to it.
Is that you prioritize, it above all else, the moment you receive
it and and you make it a matter of This is what I have to deal
with. Now I'm not going to wait any
longer and though I do have to calculate I'm going to calculate
it right now. Not tomorrow, not the day after
not next week because this is an urgent matter and I plead with
you. I mean, we're beginning this
Bible study and we're in the presence of Believers, but God
knows your heart, if you're in this place and you have not yet
responded to the truth, if you're not made a decisive
decision, do so now Do not presume based on your age young
person based on your health based on your plans or your
dreams that everything will come to pass and you will determine
when it is that you can actually start following the Lord Jesus
Christ. That is as foolish as depending
upon the Reliance of absalom's word.
If absalom's attitude here reveals anything it is that
plans can change. And plans in your life can
change in the blink of an eye overnight.
Everything can change, death is not concerned about your bank
account. It's not concerned about your
dreams is not concerned about your hopes.
It's not concerned about anything.
And so, what David needed to do for himself, is what you need to
ensure for yourself that because tomorrow is not Grant guaranteed
because things can happen tonight, even then, you must be
ready. And the best way to be ready is
to deal with the most important thing about your existence.
And that's your Eternal destination.
God help you. If you are not sure about your
Eternal destination and sure. Today, that you have your soul
secure in the hands of God. And then you can rest assured
that if death comes tomorrow or 80 years from now, you're safe
in the hands of the shepherd. David needed to make a decision
and though, everything seemed like it would be delayed.
That was not the case. Things can change overnight and
so he would act as we will find out.
But look, here in verse 17, what do we see after?
so, David receives this word and it's going to be received rather
from these chain of individuals. Now, Jonathan, and a hemas were
waiting at AndroGel. A female servant was to go and
tell them and they were to go and tell King David for there
are not to be seen and touring the city.
When you read the rest of this chapter, you're going to see a
lot of names. A lot of names and these names
are generally good. And when you zoom out and you
consider all the actors in This scene, you get the impression
that they are there different parts in this Grand chain of a
good cause and each link, each participation is equally
valuable to the significant achievement of getting this word
to David and what you kind of get out of that.
The fact that there is so much detail about who's playing what
role in, who's helping who, and how one action is affecting
another action. The sense is, That there is an
importance here with the function of a community.
Of people rallying together for the cause of King, David.
In our case is the cause of King, Jesus.
And every single role, though, the position is prominent or
hidden, though, the names are known or they are concealed.
Every single role is crucial to seeing the purposes of God
accomplished. And the Bible is is so extremely
clear concerning how the local church can succeed and advance
and progress in strength and healthy size and Effectiveness,
and their witness. It's no secret.
You know, for those who rely on other schemes, the they might
receive some kind of results but it won't be the results of the
bible promises. But if we want biblical results
and if you're a person who really cares about the glory of
Jesus, Christ on the Earth being known, being shared being
declared. Then you'll care about what I'm
about to say. Paul the Apostle gives one major
ingredient one, major ingredient to how it is.
We can see the function of the body of Jesus Christ at its full
potential at its full potential. And the secret, which is not
really secret because it's plain is in Ephesians 4 and I want you
to see it in one verse Ephesians 4:16.
This is so encouraging because It includes you.
There's an exclude.
You it's not reserved for an elite group of people who are
super spiritual know. It includes you if you're a
born-again blood-bought Christian, this will stir your
heart. I pray.
It does at least In Ephesians 4:16.
We read look what Paul says from whom the whole body joined and
held together by every joint with which it is equipped.
When each part is working properly, makes the body grow so
that it builds itself up in love.
How does the body grow? There are two factors that need
to be at play here. The first one is here when we
are joined and held together by every joint with which it is
equipped, that is a call. And that is an invitation for
every believer who is identified as a member of the body of Jesus
Christ, when every member is closely connected to other
members of Jesus Christ, This genuine connection.
This intimate Fellowship, this consistent communion is
absolutely vital. It's the Bedrock, it's the
foundation to seeing any church flourish.
So, what that means is you and I have to be extremely
intentional. Of being immersed in involved in
the lives of other like-minded believers, you have to be and to
reserve your presence from the lives of others.
Is to be a hindrance to the growth of the church when I'm
talking about the growth. I'm not just talking about the
the numeric growth though. That is important.
I'm speaking about the maturity, the brightness, the power of the
church requires you to be closely connected to other
members to refuse to do. So again, is to play a negative
role. It's like one of my fingers
trying to escape my hand. One of my limbs trying to escape
my joints, it's just, it's sabotaging. and yet, a lot of
people who think that they can be saved and yet not be
connected. That's dangerous, but that's
just the beginning. Because now, physically
speaking, I can have all my limbs, all my organs.
All my nerve, endings everything in place, right?
As you see, and yet that doesn't communicate that my body is
actually healthy. I can have everything and check
all the boxes of what makes me human so to speak, at least in
complete sense. And still, not know, all that it
is that I can know in this physical frame.
Why? Because it depends upon the
condition of these members. That will determine who I am.
At least in my function, not in my were three identity, I'm
talking about physically, but just bear with me with this
metaphor. And that's why Paul adds.
What is he adhered when each part is working properly?
So, the first thing, demands your presence, but you had to go
beyond your presence, your presence here tonight.
That's wonderful. Your present once a week or more
at a local church, that's great. But your presence is step one.
The next thing is your participation Your active
participation, a lot of people can't even.
They do have a job with step one.
Half a job is step one. They're barely present their
barely here. They come once in a while and
they just kind of sporadically make themselves known to ensure
that. Okay we meet met some kind of
quota at least we showed our face so that the pastor's won't
bother us. You're doing half a step one.
Step one is to be consistent in the lives of other people for
them to know your name for you to know their name, to know
something about their lives. But then step two is closely
connected and that's to actively participate and effective
participation requires a humble acknowledgement of your
god-given gifts and the faithful application of that gift in the
place that God has positioned you within that, local setting.
Right? And what I love about this
chapters, you get that impression that people here are
different but they're working together.
You heard about zadok and abiathar, you heard about
Jonathan. And I imahara's, you heard about
this female servant whose unnamed and that's not the only
one scroll down here and look at Verse 18, But a young man saw
them and told Absalom so both of them went away quickly and came
to the house of a man about hareem who had a well in his
Courtyard and they went down into it and the woman took and
spread a covering over the wells mouth and Scattered Grain on it
and nothing was known of it. Now we come to this mysterious
couple that opened their home to these two messengers of David
who are outside of Jerusalem and this couple hides the These two
Messengers. That was a dangerous feat.
This is life risking stuff here. If you're caught, you're done,
you're committing treason and yet without hesitation, they
were willing to risk their lives for David's sake.
And here's what's so beautiful about this.
This is such a heroic act and you don't even know their names.
Do you? I don't know their names, you
have no idea who what their names are unsung heroes.
Let me put it this way. These aren't the characters that
you're going to find in your Sunday School.
Curriculum of the champions of the Bible.
They're hidden. Right.
And what's so powerful is that the Bible even tells us in the
New Testament? That although we might not in
our flesh acknowledge these figures, we are to cherish them
nonetheless not just looking at stories but even in our own
context you and I are called to protect and even praised those
that can be often overlooked and their service to the Lord Jesus.
And Paul again uses the metaphor of the body to communicate that
truth to you. And I and I want you to see that
in First Corinthians. Now, we looked at Ephesians 4,
but now we go to First Corinthians 12 and I want you to
see, Paul's masterful words, his presentation of how you.
And I are to walk in partnership with one another, And resist the
temptation to evaluate. Someone's worth like the world
does. 1st Corinthians. 12 look at verse 22.
Are you there? Verse 22.
On the contrary Paul says, the parts of the body that seem to
be weaker indispensable. And on those parts of the body
that we think less, honorable we bestowed, the greater honor, and
our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,
which are more presentable parts.
Do not require, but God has so composed, the body giving
greater honor to the part that lacked it.
Apollo's a genius. Obviously, it's by the spirit
but what a mind he had that God used.
Let me summarize what he is saying here.
Physically speaking, there are some of your body parts that you
can live without It's right. We see people living as a tease.
We see people living without their site without the ability
to hear, they're able to still function and they are, they are
just as important as anybody, everybody who has the ability to
do all those things, right? but there are some parts of your
body that you cannot live without They're instrumental to
your survival, without them, you cease to exist without them.
You cannot move on, you cannot go on and what he is saying
here, is that, yeah, you can afford to lose a limb, but you
can't afford to lose your heart, for example.
And the point is this, That there are some elements of who
you are that you cannot live without and like are hidden
organs, for example, that pump life into our system, there are
ministers within the local church.
That might not be easily perceived or as obvious in our
recognition of their service. That are also crucial and major
contributors to the dynamic of the congregation.
In the same way again, let me say it that there are parts of
you that are hidden that even your body communicates are so so
vital, right? You have you have the skeletal
structure that that hides and shields naturally?
The things that are absolutely sensitive but not just sensitive
so needful for you and your existence, the church.
The local church has members within that are often overlooked
not seen And yet are needed in order for that church to thrive
and survive. Paul by the spirit is trying to
encourage those in here who might function in a role that
week after week is, is behind the veil behind the curtain, not
on the platform and yet and yet is absolutely special.
Not just in the sight of God, but in the very practical means
of how the church moves forward as a church be encouraged.
Be encouraged. Even how we clothe ourselves,
right? Paul, trying to say the things
that you cover with your clothes.
My face is exposed, my hands are exposed, and though, they might
be seen, there are parts of you that that received greater
protection, greater modesty. And what he's trying to
communicate his, you out there in the churches who might not be
constantly seeing who might not be on the YouTube live stream.
Who might have people walk over you and walk by you.
And don't understand the vein that you are, the nerve that you
are in the church be encouraged, God values you and he wants the
church to see what God sees as well.
So it's not just for us to do. That's just the case.
You know, there are people in the background.
Oh yeah they're great. No he wants you to absolutely
feel in your heart. We can't do this ministry
without some of you in this place.
We can't preach, we can't sing. We can't share without some of
you here where nobody will ever know your name on the Earth.
But God does and God will reward you.
And God cherishes you, and he prizes you and he values you
even when others in the same church, don't?
I love these hidden characters. Such members may not hold
offices or titles but they are worthy of our protection.
They are worthy of our praise the same way.
Our natural frame conceals and shields those vital parts of who
we are. Let's hear look at Verse 18
again. So you have this this group of
people working together And then in verse 18, unfortunately there
is a Young Man Who Saw and told Absalom about this female
servant meeting with these two. Spies that belonged to David, he
rushes to the king and he reveals the suspicious activity.
And what's significant here is that these two Jonathan Hamas,
they make a detour and they hide and where do they hide of all
places at a home? That is located in bahurim.
You have to have your rear-view mirrors, when you read the Bible
and you have to ask yourself from time to time, why is that
important? And the reason why it's
important is when you consider the closed context, because you
read this word before you've seen this place mentioned
before, and I'm going to invite you to answer it.
Does anybody here know the last time we have read a value team.
Any idea. Yes.
Very good. Did you hear him?
That is where shimei was located?
You remember shimei, right? If you don't come here to 16:5,
In 2nd Samuel 16 5 we read when King David came to bahurim.
There came out a man of the family of the House of Saul
whose name was shammai the son of Gera.
And as he came, he cursed continually When we study, that
we came to the conclusion that bahurim was a region that was
filled with strong, Saul supporters.
And we see that with shimei, obviously with his colorful
language, but we also see that David received help from the
very same place, think about it. This is the, this is an
encouragement by making this connection from the very same
place. That David was assaulted came
vital assistance. God is always ready to raise up
support in the most unlikely times of from the most
unexpected places. That's the point.
And there's so many truths that can support.
That argument one of my favorite Proverbs in the new in the Book
of Proverbs rather It's Proverbs, 16:7 and Proverbs
16:7. We read when a man's ways,
please. The Lord.
He makes even his enemies. Be at peace with him.
When a man's ways, please the Lord.
He makes even his enemies. Be at peace with him.
Consider that for a moment. If you want to know how God can
raise up support from the most unlikely places in the most
unexpected times, Then all you have to do is set yourself to
live in a way in which you, please God, and on that path of
pleasing. The Lord consciously with your
heart with your affections from time to time in God's perfect
sovereignty, he can raise up, even your enemies, your foes to
be your friends. Now that proverb doesn't assure
us that all your enemies will end up being your friends, some
of the greatest men and women of God have received The sword from
their enemies and face death because of their enemies, the
enemies of the truth. But what it does mean is that
God can do it. God is able to do it.
And who does God do it for those who please him?
Those, who seek to please him, he can transform a heart change
of perspective. He can subdue, even a reluctant
individual, the most envious unpleasant individuals that you
might know in the hands of God can become some of your
strongest. Aid, as you seek to serve God
saying, how does that work? I can tell you some stories, you
might not believe me. It's incredible.
How people can support financially in a way that even
Believers, don't. And those people that support
don't even believe the truth that you're preaching.
It's amazing. How you have some people who can
somehow come to your Aid. When in fact, everything
NaturallySpeaking doesn't make sense for them to do.
So there's so many testimonies of this and I'm not going to
take the time to share those this proverb promises that in
some cases God can do Supernatural things even with
the enemies of the God-fearing. And so you see out of the place
of bahurim, you have a couple that are willing to serve
David's cause but then we read on and we see what, what
happens. Exactly verse 19, and the woman
took and spread a covering over the wells mouth.
And Scattered Grain on it and nothing was known of it.
When Absalom servants came to the woman at the house, they
said, where's I amaz? And Jonathan, and the woman said
to them, they have gone over the brook of water, and when they
had sought and could not find him, they returned to Jerusalem.
Does this look familiar? This is look familiar to anybody
here. I heard somebody say it who
Rahab didn't rehab, you something very, very similar to
spies came to her from Israel. She hid them when the men who
were after these spies came and asked she misdirected them.
This is, this is like, almost a mirrored picture of what took
place in Joshua chapter 2 and we don't want to read too much into
it. But I think to some degree this
parallel activity, is meant to give us a hint.
A little nudge and then not just this, that The fate of Absalom
will be very similar to that of Jericho and Absalom had
everything going from at this point, he had the support of the
nation, he had a strong Army, he had charm, he had personality,
he had a strategy, but Absalom was not fighting against a man.
He was fighting against God. And no matter what you have in
your Arsenal, no matter what kind of personality you have, if
you're going to fight against God, it's always a losing
battle, always. And so, in the same way that God
brought down the walls of Jericho, God is about to bring
down the pride of this man. And crush him. and the people of
God in the purposes of God will prevail, no matter how high how
strong The opposition maybe that is what we're prepared to see
that is what God's Providence and the evidence of his
Providence is encouraging us to see the see unfold.
But listen, you've heard about God's Providence a thousand
times during this Bible study. If you've been with us for
years, God's Providence has been mentioned so many times.
And why is that? It's not because it's my one of
my favorite doctrines though it is.
It's because the Bible is absolutely blanketed with God's.
Providential work at different points in history, he's always
at work in Hidden ways and through natural means he is
performing Supernatural accomplishments.
And every time we're confronted with that, we're supposed to
take courage, right? And not just take courage.
We're also supposed to remember that though.
God is Sovereign, you and I have a human responsibility in all of
this. So, yeah, God will provide you
an income but guess what? You got to apply for jobs, okay?
You got to apply and God will protect you, but it's a good
idea to wear your seatbelt. And God can solve relational
problems. But sometimes that's going to
require you to have awkward conversations to confront
somebody who's in the wrong for him to do that, right?
God can do amazing things but it doesn't mean we sit back and
watch him. Do it in the name of prayer.
Prayer is good, but it doesn't. Negate participation Providence
is awesome. But God works through obedience
now through lazy observation. So we see God's Providence at
work here. We see something so special and
that David here, receives the news.
Finally. And what does he do?
Verse 21 after they had gone, the men came up out of the well
and went and told King David. They said to David rise and go
quickly over the water for the sand.
So has a, he thoughtful counseled against you, then
David arose and all the people who are with him and they
crossed the Jordan by Daybreak, not one was left.
Who had not crossed the Jordan. Okay.
Okay, we read in verse 14 that it was purposed, that he
fulfills Council would be defeated so that Absalom would
be destroyed. But what did David do?
He got up and he left He still did something.
God is very practical. He's very realistic and he asked
us to do. What seems the most reasonable
in your situation, and then he'll come with the
supernatural. It's just important to know
because you have people in the name of Faith.
Who do crazy things, right? They don't see a doctor or get
medication because they think that God will intervene God can
intervene, and he can heal you, but the same Paul who laid hands
on people and saw them recover. Also told his son, Timothy
drink, some wine for your belly. So that might, that might be
over your head but there's some people who really, really,
really need that. God is powerful.
He is providential, but he wants us to be practical.
David got up and he left now. This is this is suspenseful
right. We see this intensifying moment
where the Brewing tension is now coming to a boiling point.
Absalom and David are about to Face Off, Father and Son in a
very heartbreaking situation but the spirit of God, suspends this
moment and turns our attention away from Absalom away from
David and his quick Paste scene and brings us now to I feel full
again. And what you're about to read is
very dark verse. Very dark and for some people in
here and might hit home more than the next, but it's
important to deal with and it's found in verse 23.
When I, he thoughtful saw that his counsel was not followed, he
saddled his donkey and went off home to his own City, he set his
house in order and hanged himself.
And he died. And was buried in the Tomb of
his father. Zai.
So full after his counsel was rejected.
Goes home sets his house in order and hangs himself.
My question is, why a couple of people came up to me last Friday
and that we talked about this briefly and I told them you have
to wait till next Friday in order to get your answer but I'm
curious to know your thoughts. Why did I overdo this?
This is a dramatic, this is dress.
This is permanent. There's nothing more permanent
than this that you can do in life.
But why did he do this? Any idea.
Yes. Okay.
So there might be this idea of his rejection, right?
His plan, his desire was shot down and his ego was so affected
that he couldn't even live another day.
And that is the common view of this and do that can be some
part in it. I think there's something deeper
going on here. I thought I had a smart mind.
I thought full knew how to interpret the future in some
sense. And that's because yes, you have
something. That's right.
He doesn't have a future and why is that?
Because he believed what Absalom could not see that, if who shies
advice was received, then it would fail.
He knew what douche I said, would not bring success for
Absalom. He knew that it would actually
seal absalom's death and not just absalom's death.
But if David gains the Victory and comes back for the throne,
I'm going to be killed as well. And so, what I thought was
thinking is I'm finished, this is done.
I rebelled against him. He's definitely going to win if
they're going to implement it, who shies plans.
So I rather kill myself than die by the hands of the one that I
hate with all my heart. Bitterness is scary stuff, man.
Hatred is scary stuff. Hatred will do things to you,
not to the person that you hate hatred, will destroy you more
than the person that you want to see destroyed.
And this man is willing to hang himself and he's a very strong
picture of a Judas who betrayed the son of David and once he
realized the regret of his decision, didn't repent, neither
as I feel full. But he destroys himself out of
the sorrow. And I thought was a very strong
picture of Judas. Actually, where was David found?
When the news of Agatha's betrayal came to him.
Does anybody remember in case you don't go to 2nd Samuel 15,
And look at verse 30, actually, look at verse 31.
They look at verse 30 and it was told a heath, offal is among the
conspirators with Absalom. And David said, oh Lord, please
turn the council that he thoughtful into foolishness.
But when was that told verse 30, but David went up the ascent of
where the Mount of Olives. Yeah, where did Judas plant his
lips on that precious face of the savior?
The very same amount. And so you see here a very eerie
mirroring of judases ways. And it's very difficult to move
on from this verse without addressing at least to some
level, the issue of suicide. You have believers who feel
differently about who have different theological bends on
it. You have some who think that
suicide is the unforgivable sin. You have others who believe that
it is possible for a Believer to undergo such dark moments in
their lives that they are willing to entertain such a
Temptation and even execute that Temptation and still be received
into eternal life because of their confession of faith.
It's difficult because we don't have a clear systematize
understanding of what happens with that particular sin.
I'm under the persuasion that it is absolutely possible for a
genuine Born. Again, believer to be harassed
by the lies of Satan and to be agitated by the cowardice of the
flesh. To commit self murder.
Absolutely, it's possible. But at the same time, if I was
sitting before somebody who was genuinely considering committing
such an act against themselves, this is me I would look at them
and after different conversations come to the point
of challenging them to examine the sincerity of their faith.
Again, not because a Christian cannot stoop to such
hopelessness that is absolutely possible.
But for a Believer to come to a point where they're willing to
cross that line, I would want to in a loving way, call them to
say, brother, you need to or sister, you need to examine
yourself very carefully. Why is that?
Because the Bible defines a Christian with many beautiful.
Awful things. And one of the most precious
aspects of a Believer is that they are filled with an
otherworldly life-giving hope. A hope so powerful that it can
enable that person to endure, all sorts of pain, all sorts of
loss, or all sorts of defeat and all sorts of suffering of
various kinds. It's a hope that energizes.
You, it doesn't eliminate the Dark Cloud that can hover over
your mind and your heart, but it is a hope that can help you push
through. And make it to the other side
and live to tell about how the Lord though.
You diss, you despaired of life itself.
You relied on God and God brought you through that kind of
a hope. It's so because we are described
with that hope. We have Triumph, we have
Triumph. And from there, I would also say
and I also believe that suicide is one of the most defying
statements of the lordship of Jesus Christ.
What I mean by that, when you become a Christian, what happens
when you become a believer, you put your life completely over to
the will. And the control of God.
And to take my own life. With to say to God that the
prerogative that exclusively belongs to you.
I now assume for myself. I want to determine my faith.
I don't I'm not leaving it up to you to determine what happens
with my days. What happens with my future?
What happens with my lat, I will determine when I am unsatisfied
enough to press the eject button.
And to sabotage what you might have had for my life, right?
That might sound harsh that might sound severe, but this is
emergency protocol stuff. Right?
And one person said it very powerfully and referencing
Christians, that they could not imagine standing before Jesus
Christ after committing self murdered and I would agree with
that. So that is what I would say to
somebody who would entertain it for themselves but I would have
a completely different tone for somebody who might have had a
loved one that has done it and all the complicated ideas behind
it and the what ifs? That's a different conversation
for a different time. But let me say this before we
move on from this place there's so much more I can say about
that. And I know that it might be an
incomplete kind of address concerning such a vast subject.
But if you're a person today, who feels that tendency Remember
who you are in Christ Jesus. Remember what the holy spirit is
deposited in. You remember what it means to
have Jesus Christ, Lord of your life.
I understand that no matter how daunting, it may seem, no matter
how worrisome, no matter how fearful tomorrow might be or how
overwhelming today might be He has you in his hand, he will
bring you through. He will perfect the work that he
started in you. And Satan would love to try to
obstruct what God has been working on since you confess him
as Lord. So, sometimes when it comes to
those who are in a dark place, we have to, we have to just
remind them of their identity, and I get it there, chemical
things that go on and sometimes, their neurological issues.
Again, it's a vast subject, but let me just speak planing speak
straight. God has a purpose for you,
still. And I very Temptation should be
indicative that you have absolute value in.
Satan doesn't want to see you fulfill it.
So this man, he hangs himself. and and more than hanging
himself, there's something worth Our acknowledgement and it's the
contradiction of his actions. What does he do before?
He hangs himself. He sets his house in order.
So he comes home and he puts his Affairs in place.
And when we say that's a wise thing.
Absolutely. It's a wise thing.
We should have our order. We should have plans, we should
have things put in place so that when we do depart from this life
we're not leaving ramifications and issues for our loved ones to
deal with that. Could have been better handled
by us. Right?
So that's smart. And yet with this wisdom, We see
a collision of foolishness in the very same breath, he sets
his house in order, then he hangs himself like what are you
doing? And this is an extreme example,
is it not but listen the same contradiction as being lived
out, all around us. Absolutely, it is.
And what way? How many people are excellent at
business, but their families are being destroyed at the same
time, huh? How many people invest in their
bodies? And yet, their souls are
deteriorating. How many are so consumed day
after day? The first thing, when they wake
up, the last thing they do, when they go to bed their bank
account, their stocks, their Investments.
And yet there is not one passing thought about what will happen
when they stand before. God, It's happening all around
us, people. And it might not be physical
suicide, but it's spiritual suicide.
There is spiritual suicide, happening.
Every single moment of every single day.
People who might be very prudent and smart in some areas, but in
the areas where it matters the most, they're absolutely idiotic
and foolish. Please don't be that person.
Please don't be really smart in this life but very stupid with
your soul. Please don't be so concerned
with the temporal and so quick to dismiss the Eternal, that is
exactly what he thoughtful is doing.
He's willing to put so much effort and time and energy for
that, which matters in this life alone, but when it came to his
eternal State, he was willing to throw it away.
Yet people are doing that day after day.
Verse 24, then David came to mahanaim.
And Absalom cross, the Jordan, with all the men of Israel.
Now, Absalom had set a Mesa over the Army.
Instead of jaw of a Mesa was the son of a man named.
If through the issue might who had married Abigail the daughter
of nakash, sister of xariah jobs mother, it's a mouthful, isn't
it? Only to add to this Family Feud.
You have more family members involved in this than you
thought. At first But then we read on an
Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
Now, look at this in verse 27, when David came to mahanaim This
is twice in a very short amount of time.
We have this name, brought forth to us.
Does anybody remember the first time it is mentioned in all of
the Bible. No, not when he's fleeing from
Saul good, guess though it's much earlier in the Old
Testament than that. When was the first time the
place my name, my name. Did you whisper it?
Earlier, but that's a good guess to, that's another strong guess
even earlier than Joshua. I'm patient.
I can wait. I'll give you more time to
scroll through your Scrolls. One is the first time Joshua you
have any idea? No.
Okay, I'll tell you. No guesses.
Somebody said, Genesis. I'm not going to ask how you
found out. Okay, that's good Genesis where
Okay, so let's just go together, shall we?
Genesis chapter 32. It's with Jacob.
Jacob was ready to meet with his brother, Esau.
And on his way, we read something.
The first two verses of Genesis chapter 32, Jacob went on his
way and the angels of God met him.
And when Jacob saw them, he said, this is God's Camp.
So he called the name of that place my name.
You see what's happening here. Jacob is obviously nervous for
this long awaited encounter with his brother.
Esau, the last he heard about Esau is that he wanted to kill
him and you've heard me say this more than once, that his mother
promised them. I'll send you back from your
uncle's once his anger subsides and she never does, which
implies that he was still angry. Nothing had changed with Esau's
feelings towards his brother and now he knows that he has to meet
with him and so he meets with him and on his way to meet him.
God knows and God knew this man, Jacob needs some encouragement.
And so the way he encourages and strengthens his faith, Is that
he opens his eyes to see a host of Angels in this region.
And that Revelation was so profound him that he names that
location meant my name, which means two camps.
In other words, what Jacob Learned was I'm not alone here.
I'm not by myself. I'm not abandoned, I'm not going
to confront this issue. Apart from God's assisting
presence. He is with me and he is son for
the angels to show that he is with me.
That's what this place meant. That is the very DNA of my name.
And now you have David David ready to be encountered by his
son. There's not have the best
intentions for him and yet though David arrives to this
place David does not have the same experience that Jacob does,
but he still does have an experience.
And the experiences, this Angels didn't show up.
But godly people did. A set of godly people, came to
him at mahanaim. And the way they acted the way
they assisted, the way they came to his support, made it seem as
though, they did come from heaven, Let me show that to you
here. Look at verse 27, when David
came to mahanaim chaubey's, the son of nahas from Rabe of the
ammonites and Mahir, the son of a mile from load, the bar and
barzillai the gileadites from Rogan leme brought beds,
bastions basins, and Earthen vessels wheat, barley flour,
Parts grains, beans, and lentils, honey, and Kurds, and
sheep, and cheese from the herd for David.
And the People with him to eat for.
They said, the people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the
wilderness. So, you have David.
Experiencing something so precious.
Not at the hands of Angels by the hands of real life people.
And I thought, who are these guys?
Because they're not very familiar to us.
I just want to look at a couple of them.
Would you bear with me? Because this will hopefully
bless you. Look at the first person
mentioned showed me the son of Maharaja from Raba.
The ammonites, is that a Jew? Is that an Israelite?
No and more than not just an Israelite.
The David have history with the ammonites answer.
Yes. And when you realize that who
shall be as it's even more profound, he is who the son of
NE hash and who is the hash at one point.
He was the king of the ammonites.
Do you remember that? Do you remember the story in our
time together on a Friday night? Where David heard of the death
of nakash? And there was a man who took his
place and second Samuel 10, it was the son of Maharaja and so
he sends Messengers to bring consolation and comfort.
And this man was told they're actually here to spy.
Don't let him get away with this and so he cuts half their beard
and he strips them of their clothes and he sends them back.
You remember that? And then it started a war.
This show be is the son of that same King who died and the
brother of the one who did that to David's men.
Think about that, that's significant.
And it should teach you many things.
And here's one thing, you should teach you that you and I should
be very slow to assume the character of someone based on
the actions of those that they are helplessly associated with
And you and I should know that though there are some who does
not respond to our Mercy. with Mercy, kindness with kindness,
there are who will show be did when he realized the kind of
man. David was he came at a favorable
time and showed love and compassion though he was an
enemy and that makes me very happy to know that I can look
out in a world. There were, there are enemies of
God enemies of Christ. And yet, there are people who
still belong to him to some regard.
But look at my here, the son of a mile from Lodi bar.
Who's he? This is not the first time he's
brought to us in the scriptures and idea of who he is.
Shelby was the brother of hanoun who replaced his father Mahir on
the other hand. Was somebody that we have heard
of before? do you remember when David asked
about any of the sentence from Saul who are left ziba, told
them that there was one And when David asked where he was
mephibosheth, the answer is in 2nd Samuel 9.
And this is what we read in 2nd Samuel, 9 verse 4.
The king said to him, where is he?
And ziba said to the king, he is in the house of my are the son
of a meal at Lodi bar. Soma here, the last time you've
heard of him was that he was taking care of a paralyzed man
and his family. He opened his home to him and he
had him stay as long as he needed to stay.
And eventually he was summoned to promotion because of the
kindness of David. And now the next time you see
him out here, he realizes that David is in trouble.
David is in need and so he comes to David's age.
You know what I get from this guy, this guy really enjoys
taking care of people He takes deep delight and finding
individuals that are struggling and that are in need and that
cannot lift themselves up and he comes as soon as he can to make
a way for them. You know, I was looking at my
here, briefly this afternoon, and I thought to myself, this is
probably one of the closest illustrations, to the
manifestations of one of the gifts of the Spirit, not the
gift of tongues, not the gift of healing, I think gift of
Prophecy. The gift that Romans 12 tells us
about of Mercy. The gift of Mercy, Mercy is a
supernatural gift. At least the some most of us
here, understand that mercy. And I hope all of us understand
that Mercy is is a Christian. Attitude, we all should have
mercy but there's a gift of mercy and the gift of Mercy is
the special intuition. The sensitivity this deep desire
and delight and collecting your resources and your time to help
those that others might neglect or Overlook.
You have this magnetic ability and discernment to look and find
people and you take a special delight.
And pouring into them. And it's a blessing for you to
help whereas, for others, it might be a blessing, but it's
also a burden. That's not for the person as the
gift of Mercy. It's like absolute joy to step
in and to do what others might not want to do.
So if you ever want to an Old Testament picture of what the
gift of Mercy? Looks like look no further than
Mahir. And if you're a person in this
place, that feels the same way of the way.
I just described you might have the gift of Mercy.
The Holy Spirit might have put that in your life, in your
heart. And for any church, or any
person to be connected to another, who has the gift of
Mercy. They're like Angels Sent From
Heaven, man. They're so precious.
And this man indeed was a special person to David.
You want to know who real friends are.
Get in trouble and see who calls.
Don't know who real friends are. when you have nothing to offer
them and yet they're willing to offer themselves, That's who our
real friend is. And instead of identifying who
that person might be, I mean it's good to thank them and
praise God for them be that person, right?
A lot of people want the gifts of the Spirit, I'm not against
the gifts of the Spirit. But what about those gifts,
like, Mercy, how many people pray for that one?
I sure many do. But all like those members that
are not often seen that are hidden Mercy.
Mercy, so needed in a day so much unforgiveness and coldness
There's another guy here. Did you see his name?
Kind of difficult to pronounce his name barzillai.
We're going to deal with him later.
And Pastor Danny might correct me and how I'm saying these
names after the Bible study? I thought so.
So we see here, another character and he's going to,
he's going to come back to us in a couple of chapters.
But I want to end this Bible study with a quote, sometimes I
do that. The quote is from no other than
my good friend Spurgeon. The talk about Brazilian another
time and let me end from a quote with this man Prince of
preachers who makes it beautiful, illustration and
comment about the connection of my knee between Jacob and David.
And it is this quote Spurgeon said I infer from this. that if
at any time, a servant of God Is marching onward in his master's
work and he needs assistance of any sort.
He need not trouble about it, but rest in the Lord for succor
and help will surely come if not from the Angels Above yet from
the church below. And Spurgeon as only Spurgeon
can made the wonderful application with idea of my name
from Jacob to David by mentioning how our help is
either invisible or visible. Either comes from Supernatural,
being sent from God, that you may not be able to perceive like
Jacob did but can trust by faith that they are sent to administer
Aid to those who are saved or from those that you can see and
perceive and walk by day by day. And the encouragement here is
you can expect that from God. The same way, Jacob didn't the
same way. David did we are continually
walking under a mahanaim. We're continually walking.
It's not just one area. It's a lifestyle.
We are always walking. With two camps.
And you and I should be blessed by that to know that God is
always with us. And I want to bless God with you
tonight for this Bible study. And I'm excited to have the
conversations afterwards with you.
But until then, let's pray and pour out our hearts before the
Lord of Glory. What a mighty God we serve what
a mighty God. We serve Angels.
They bow before him Heaven and Earth adore him.
What a mighty God. We serve.
Does anybody know that song? Yeah, it's a classic.
Lord, we thank you. Like telling you what?
A mighty God we serve Lord. we trust that through the the
delivery of this study though, imperfect T' and even through
Me. Maybe are distracted hearts.
That your word will not return void.
Oh God, your word is profound. We are moved by it.
Each time it is expounded to us. Words.
Can't express what you mean to us.
Help us believe that the god of David, the god of Jacob, is our
God. Lord in this place.
We often feel the temptation to rush.
But teach us again, the Delight of sitting at your feet.
And simply adoring you for who you are.
Lord. There's none like you.
Forgive us for inconsistencies, forgive us for our failures,
forgive us. For maybe looking at the things
that we shouldn't be looking at and listening to the voices.
We shouldn't be listening to but we praise you that we can come
here week after week. And believe that you are
gracious enough to speak to our hearts and to realign our
thinking and our affections to where they belong.
Lord, I don't know what some here might be dealing with you
know. It might be dark, it might be
devilish but it is not beyond the hope that you have for those
who are yours. We pray that hope was swallow up
all the spare All fear. All lies.
And that every person who Belongs to the Lord, Jesus
Christ would be anchored with the truth that you have a
purpose for their tomorrow's and even in their pain, there is
purpose. And even though life is not
played out the way they thought you have a better way and you
have a better script for our sanctification and Lord.
We pray for those who might feel as though their service to God,
Is not significant or meaningful, and they come week
after week and they do things that seems menial.
Louis said they would realize the preciousness of who they are
and you pray that they would realize through this brief
mentions that you have actually set them up to be the most
treasured and prized of your church.
And Lord with everything that was said in between in passing.
We trust that you've spoken to us.
Now, we speak to you again and song and give you glory and
honor and thanks in the precious name of the living Christ.
We pray. Amen, and amen Church.
Let's stand and worship God together.