A Word of Encouragement by Graham McBratney

The Hidden Treasures of Life

Over the centuries men all over the world have striven for treasure of some sort or other to make their lives better. The question would be, Is there any guarantee that they will find the treasure? Does it make their lives better in any way if they do find it? Will it last, and will it make them any happier?

It depends on what the treasure really is. The lure of gold, silver, precious stones, oil etc. has been going on since the beginning of time. Nations have come and gone (Babylon for example). It has caused wars, hardship and all manner of sorrows, and for a short time it may have given its owner some pleasure. The treasure that most men have striven for is elusive. There is no guarantee of ever finding it. There are lots of men who never found it and the hardships in life just carried on until they passed away.

What of those who did find it? Maybe they got a mention in the history books, maybe they got their photograph on a museum wall. But the sad thing about it all is that they, along with their treasures and their dreams, are all gone and they have perished just like God said they would. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. Matthew 6:19.

God knows exactly what men will do to find treasure, and we find the very words in Job 28 from verse 1:

1 People know how to mine silver and refine gold. 2 They know how to dig iron from the earth and smelt copper from stone. 3 They know how to put light into darkness and explore the farthest darkest regions of the earth as they search for ore. 4 They sink a mineshaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth. 5 Bread comes from the earth, but below the surface the earth is melted as by fire. 6 People know how to find sapphires and gold dust. 7 Treasures that no bird of prey can see, no falcon’s eye observe. 8 For they are deep within the mines. No wild animal has ever walked upon those treasures, no lion has set his paw there. 9 People know how to tear apart flinty rocks and overturn the roots of mountains. 10 They cut tunnels in the rocks and uncover precious stones. 11 They dam up the trickling streams and bring to light the hidden treasures.

Men know about these things, don’t they? They have done so since the beginning of time. As we have just seen, God knew just to what extremes humans would go to get these treasures. The thing is, it is just for a moment, it doesn't last. It doesn't last because it is NOT REAL TREASURE. Only God has the real treasure. His is the only treasure that will last, and last forever. Let’s go to verse 12 of Job 28.

12 But do people know where to find “wisdom”? Where can they find understanding? 13 No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living. 14 It is not here says the ocean, nor is it here says the sea. 15 It cannot be bought for gold or silver. 16 Its value is greater than all the gold of Ophir, greater than the precious onyx stone or sapphires. 17 Wisdom is far more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold.

There is nothing that compares to WISDOM. Only God knows where it can be found. He tells us and He tells all humanity. The fear of the Lord is true wisdom, to forsake evil is real understanding.

We are told in Revelation 21:6 "To all who are thirsty, I will give the springs of the water of life without charge." God tells us that we can have His treasure and that it will lead to eternal life! What a wonderful hope! It is beyond the price of any worldly treasure.

God tells us in Proverbs 4:20-22 "Pay attention my child and do what I say, listen carefully, don’t lose sight of my words, let them penetrate deep within your heart. For they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning."

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Jeremiah by Leonie Beer

Jeremiah began to prophesy during the 13th year of the reign of Josiah. This was about 5 years after the Book of the Law had been found during the repairs to the temple. He was the son of a priest, born at Anathoth, only a few kilometres from Jerusalem, but in the territory of Benjamin. He was called to the prophetic office by a vision. Being young at the time he felt his immaturity, inexperience and inability to speak to men, but God reached out and touched Jeremiah's mouth enabling him to speak the Word of God (Jeremiah 1:9). Jeremiah was also told that he would meet with violent opposition from princes, priests and the people but that they would not prevail over him (Jeremiah 1:8, 18-19).

Jeremiah prophesied during 18 years of Josia's reign, and during the reigns of 3 of his sons and one grandson. After Josiah was killed in battle with the Egyptians who dominated Judah at this time, Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah reigned for 3 months until Pharaoh deposed him in favour of his brother Jehoiakim, who reigned for 11 years. After Jehoiakim, the kingship passed to his son Jehoiachin who reigned only 3 months before being taken away to Babylon along with the leading men of Judah, for refusing to be subject to the Chaldeans. Another son of Josiah was placed on the throne in his stead Mattaniah, whose name was changed to Zedekiah. Zedekia's reign lasted 11 years and 5 months before the capture and destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. This was about 41 years after Jeremiah started to prophesy and he continued after this.

The men of Anathoth, Jeremiah's hometown, were among the first to oppose Jeremiah and threatened to kill him if he did not stop prophesying. He persevered nonetheless, but felt this opposition keenly and cried to the Lord to judge the men of Anathoth for forbidding the word of the Lord (Jeremiah 11:20-23). However this hostility to Jeremiah became more widespread as his message was mostly of doom to his native land, ie. the carrying away captive to Babylon of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem if the Jews continued disobedient to God.

Jeremiah had been prophesying approximately 22 years when he dictated the prophecies to the scribe Baruch who wrote them on a scroll. This was during the 4th year of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah. Jeremiah was not allowed to go to the house of God, so he told Baruch to take the roll to the sanctuary and read it to the people who were there fasting (Jeremiah 36:5-6). The roll eventually reached the king, who after hearing a few columns read, cut it up and flung it into the fire, a section at a time, until it was destroyed. By divine direction Jeremiah prepared a second roll, like the first, but with additions. A foe of his, the priest Passhur, chief governor of the Temple, had him put in the stocks, but he was released the following day (Jeremiah 20:1-3).

Despite Jeremiah's warnings, king Jehoiakim refused to pay tribute to the Chaldeans who had become the main power in the area, after overthrowing the Assyrians and Egyptians. The Chaldeans came to Jerusalem, but by that time Jehoiakim had died and his son Jehoiachin was on the throne. The Chaldeans took him away to Babylon along with the most important men of Judah, among them Daniel. The journey to Babylon was about 1450 kilometres across the blistering waterless Arabian desert and would have taken about 6 months on foot.

The Chaldeans left Zedekiah, another son of Josiah, on the throne in Jerusalem as their puppet king. He was disloyal to Babylon and a few years later the Chaldeans returned to Jerusalem, besieging it for 2 years. Jeremiah repeatedly warned Zedekiah and the princes that unless they obeyed Babylon they too would be taken there and Jerusalem destroyed. They refused to listen to him, preferring to believe the false prophets who said that no evil would come upon Judah. Jeremiah said that Judah should accept the Chaldean domination as a just punishment from the Lord for its grievous sins, ie. for worshipping false gods and straying from the sacred laws.

During the siege of Jerusalem the Jewish authorities looked at Jeremiah's prophecies of the success of the Chaldeans and the subsequent captivity of Judah, claiming that his unfavourable predictions discouraged the defenders of Jerusalem. When the Chaldeans temporarily raised the siege to fight a battle with the Egyptians, and Jeremiah was about to take advantage of their absence to go to Anathoth on business, the charge was made against him that he was deserting to the Chaldeans and he was thrown into prison by the princes (Jeremiah 37:11-15). After a while king Zedekiah released him and put him in the court of the guard (Jeremiah 37:21), but the princes soon had him cast into a dungeon (Jeremiah 38:6) and left to die. An Ethiopian, Ebed-melech, took compassion on him however, and obtained permission from Zedekiah to release him from the miry pit and put him back in the court of the guard. The prophet was there when Jerusalem was taken after 2 years of siege.

The Chaldeans looked on Jeremiah as one who had suffered much for them and Nebuchadnezzar gave express orders for his kind treatment. Accordingly, he was released and settled in Mizpah under the protection of the former mayor of the palace, Gedaliah, whom the Chaldeans appointed governor of Judah. Most of the remaining notables and craftsmen of Judah were sent away to Babylon, leaving only a few poor people to gather the grape harvest and make the wine.

After the treacherous assassination of the governor Gedaliah, his followers and the Chaldean soldiers by Ishmael (Jeremiah 41), the Jewish army chiefs collected a considerable number of remaining Jews and went to Egypt. Jeremiah urged them not to flee to Egypt (Jeremiah 42: 13-22), but they took no notice and forced him to go there as well. He delivered his last predictions in Egypt and the time and manner of his death are unknown, although tradition has it that the Jews killed him because of his prophecies.

The burden of the prophecy, which Jeremiah uttered, forced from him the bitter lament that he had ever been born, but he remained true to duty. He was often alone, persecuted, misunderstood and his efforts for the moral welfare of his countrymen were foredoomed to failure. He was often imprisoned and forced to turn to God only for companionship and consolation.

Throughout the book of Jeremiah the recurring theme is of obedience to God as the most important thing; not only sacrifices, but also moral conduct as the sacrifice of the obedient, are pleasing to God. To serve God, man must wash away his wickedness and return to God with the whole heart.

Jeremiah foretold that the Jews would be captives in Babylon for a period of seventy years, after which time they would be allowed to return to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10) to rebuild the city and temple which had been burnt to the ground. It all happened just as he predicted (2 Chronicles 36:21-23).

Jeremiah also foretold the new covenant when the people will have a new heart and God's law written in it (Jeremiah 24:7; 31:33). This vision of the true glory of the kingdom remains in the future. We must remember Jeremiah's insistence on obedience to God's commandments if we wish to see, and be part of, this glorious restored kingdom of Israel.

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God's Kingdom on Earth by Eric Brown

Isaiah tells us that in a vision, he saw the King upon his throne, who is to reign in righteousness on Mount Zion and Jerusalem gloriously. He will reign in the presence of his ancients, or saints, whose death shall be swallowed up in victory.

We are also told that the nations will abandon the art of war, and bless themselves in the peaceful occupation of husbandry and prosperous and just commerce. Furthermore there will be a return to primitive health and longevity among the people, and a return to harmlessness among the flesh preying animals. Ignorance shall be ended; violence shall not be heard of; sickness will be banished; pride will be humbled; poverty will vanish; oppression will cease. Sorrow and sighing will flee away, and give place to a health springing morning of everlasting and unclouded joy.

Jeremiah tells us that Yahweh will raise up to David a righteous branch. This man shall be King of Israel - reigning, prospering and executing judgement and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall dwell safely, and the nations shall be enlightened and blessed in their King who shall be called the King of the whole earth.

Ezekiel says that the dry tree of Israel which now bears no fruit, shall be made to flourish in the mountain of the heights of Israel. It shall shoot forth boughs and bear fruit and under its branches (foliage) shall dwell all fowl of every wing. At that time the Holy land shall be as the garden of Eden. The twelve tribes shall be a united nation and form one kingdom in the land, and a magnificent temple shall be built in Jerusalem differing from that of Solomon. There will be one religion and one government for all the world. Then the Son of righteousness will shine forth with great glory in the kingdom of the Father and in him and his seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.

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The Purpose of Marriage by Geoff Horrell

When we think of getting married, this thought of idealism comes to our mind, "If I get married, I'll be happy until the end of my days."

You can get caught up in a whirlwind of emotions and fail to work out some crucial issues before you commit your lives to each other. We will look at 3 basic purposes for getting married, from the scriptures.

Purpose Number One
In the second chapter of Genesis we pick up the creation story after God has created man: "Then the Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable from him" (Genesis 2:18).

Up to this point in creation, God had said everything was good. Yet here, by God's own declaration, we see that something is not good. In fact, God declared that Adam's singleness was the opposite of good.

God's solution for Adam's need was to "make him a helper suitable for him." It's important here to note that "helper" does not mean "servant." On the contrary, in the day when Moses penned these words, to identify a woman as a helper was counter to the culture's common low view of women. He actually elevated the sense of a woman's worth and role by calling her by the same name used to describe God Himself in other places of the Old Testament (see Psalm 30:10 and 54:4). To be called a "helper" here speaks more to the simple fact that God had plans for Adam that he could not fulfil without a mate - he was incomplete. Adam needed Eve.

Also notice that this passage does not imply that every married person is incomplete without a mate. All of us are created in the image of God and bring glory to God when we yield ourselves to His purpose and plan for our lives. Jesus, after all, was single. However, in God's timing He does sovereignly choose to bring a husband and wife together for them to accomplish together what they couldn't have accomplished separately.

When God calls you to marry, He gives you a mate who, by divine design, will complete you. Together you will be stronger and more effective than if you remain single. Most happily married couples could point to specific examples of how God has fit them together.

For example:

• The husband is people - oriented, and his wife is task-oriented (or vice versa). He helps her relate socially to others while she keeps him focused on task they need to complete.
• He races through life at a fast pace, while her inner clock impels her to move much slower. He helps her make it on time to meetings while she helps him stop and smell the roses.

In His wisdom God brings two people together to balance each other out, to fill each other's gaps. They are stronger as a team than they were as individuals. They are two independent people who choose to become interdependent.

Purpose Number Two
As we continue looking at the book of Genesis, we find the second purpose of marriage: "And God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" (Genesis 1:28).

This passage makes it clear that, according to God's design for marriage, having children is not an option, but a command. What do you think God had in mind when He made bearing children such a priority?

What do the following passages from Psalms tell us about God's opinion of children and why they are important to Him? "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they shall not be ashamed, when they speak with their enemies in the gate" (Psalm 127:3-5). "For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments" (Psalm 78-5-7).

Not only is having children a reward and a blessing (see Psalm 127:3-5), but it also has an essential part in God's plan to pass on His Word to the next generation. Although not every couple is able to have biological children of their own, it is God's intent for every couple to be ministering into the next generation - passing on their faith in God so the next generation can in turn pass it on to the next. Psalm 78 makes it clear that the family is one of the best environments in which this can happen.

God's original plan called for the home to be a "greenhouse" - a nurturing center where children grow up to learn character, values and integrity. In no other setting does a child learn more about how to live and how to relate to God than in a family.

Purpose Number Three
Consider God's purpose in creating humans: "Lets Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Genesis 1:26-27).

The third purpose for marriage - that God created us to mirror His image - is a critical foundation for understanding God's design. It means that God chose to reveal to us a part of His character and being through our relationships.

For example, when we love one another we reflect God who created love and relationships. When we forgive each other, we reflect Him who for gave us in Christ (see Ephesians 4:32).

Why is this important? Because God created us to know Him and to live within the context of His plan for our lives. When a man and woman come together in a marriage with God at the center of their relationship, they will reflect His image. The world will see in that relationship a representation of who God is and how He loves.

Mysteriously, God chose to use a husband and wife to represent, or mirror, Him to humankind. It is through this marriage relationship that a couple can demonstrate a portion of God's love, forgiveness and long- suffering commitment to people.

Summary
Marriage is far more than a cultural institution or an arrangement for a man and woman to meet their needs for companionship. As we consider the purposes of marriage we find the answers in the authoritative best - seller of all time, the Bible. All three of these purposes for marriage point us back to the spiritual originator of marriage - God. As Psalm 127:1 tells us, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it." That means marriage is far more important than you may have thought. There is more at stake in your marriage than just two people trying to meet one another's needs. God's reputation - His image - is at stake in your marriage. To build a marriage according to God's design, you cannot ignore the spiritual foundation.

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Angels by Wayne Brown

In Job 38 verse 4 God asks Job

"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the cornerstone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkeness a swaddlingband for it, and brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place..."

God was describing to Job how he had created the earth. But what has this got to do with our Angels? God doesn't mention any Angels in these verses... or does he? Lets read verse 7 again "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?.." These are of course the Angels, but what have they got to sing about? Lets consider what they had just achieved... God had chosen to start new life on an earth without form or void and he had his Messengers to carry out his will. The Angels were given creative power and possibly a task each so Creation could take place. Genesis 1 verse 2 reads "And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters..." verse 3 "And God said Let there be light" and under the Ultimate creator, an Angel made the light. Over the six days of creation imagine the buzz of excitement from the Angels as they were given each job to do and were able to see what the others were creating.

How much fun would it be to make an animal for God?

Possibly the Angels had never even set eyes on some of the animals or plants made for this planet, it would be an exciting stimulating time for all present. God planned everything to the finest detail and the Angels one by one followed his designs creating birds and their beautiful plumes such as the Peacock in Job 39 verse 13, the individual instincts that animals have, their sense of smell and sight.. Job 39 verse 26 says "Doth the hawk fly by the wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? Doth the eagle mount up at thy command and make her nest on high?..." some birds have a homing instinct that leads them back to the same nest every year after travelling great distances, all part of Gods great design.

Then Genesis 1 verse 26 reads "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.." what a rewarding time for the Angels who were now allowed to form a human in their own image, pushing the dust of the ground into shape and then watching as the breath of life was given to him.

When creation was completed it was then that the Angels could stand back and fully comprehend what had been achieved, they could see how each individual animal or plant complemented each other and how intricate Gods new earth was.

We know that modern man is only scratching the surface of some of the beauty God and the Angels set in place for us, for example Job 38 verse 22 tells us "Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail?..." Before microscopes were invented people would not know what this verse was leading to but we know now that each individual flake is made up of crystals forming their own design and no two are alike. Only God has the power to create without limits.

The Angels have been with God as he has influenced time through his creations, they saw the power of the climate as described in Job 38 verse 22, 23 "Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?" When we read verses like these we are reminded how people such as Napoleon and Hitler were defeated by weather patterns, perhaps more handy work of Gods messengers.

After we consider the Angels role in the six days of creation we can understand why they would be singing for joy as described in Job 38 verse 7 There are no words that could describe the feelings after such a glorious event, imagine being part of the choir of Angels as they all joint in to celebrate the beginning of new life and to praise their creator.

We don't know how Angels rose to their position but we are assured that we have the chance to be immortal and spiritual like them. We know they looked forward to the birth of Christ with intense interest and who wouldn't? The bible tells us that Jesus is Gods only begotten son and to think he was given to this creation makes us very fortunate. The Angels had helped God set in motion the course of time often unaware of the "full picture" There must have been many Angels through time that were wondering why they were doing certain tasks, consider the Angel who was instructed to guide Abraham to the mountain where he would slay his only son Isaac, or the Angel who made sure that Reuben and his brothers sold Joseph to a bunch of strangers.

We can read our bible and see why these things had to happen but the Angels at that time would be waiting for Gods next move unaware they were laying down the pattern for the arrival of Christ. 1 Peter 1 verse 12 reads "Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the holy spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into..." Despite all the information the Angels had they were burning with curiosity about the son of God, they wanted to fully comprehend this method of atonement that God was now going to work in his own son.

The words Desired to look into in verse 12 mean in Greek they "stared inquiringly, " the same word used as the disciples looked into the empty tomb of Christ. So as the prophets wrote down their message not fully comprehending it, over their shoulders were Angels staring inquiringly as they tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together for themselves.

The excitement of the Angels would be intense as the time grew near to Christ's birth. There had been very little Angel activity in the past 400 years and now there was a lot of preparation for the event. The Angels could look back and see how humanity had led to this point and how their input had helped. Angels visited Zacharias and Mary to give them the exciting news of what was about to happen and then Joseph was visited and reassured by an Angel. These were very important visits but behind the scenes others were hard at work preparing for the child. Spare a thought for the Angel who had the task of making sure every Inn and spare room in the town of Bethlehem was full.

Luke 2 verse 7

"And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And Lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the Angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord..." and in verse 13 "and suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to all men. And it came to pass as the Angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord had made known unto us..."

Once again the Angels showed their delight by giving praise by song at this wonderful occasion, they had all been curiously waiting for Jesus and now he was here. The one and only Son of God. From that day on the Angels looked on as Christ grew into a young man and they would all be interested in how he was progressing and what sort of man he would become. Later in life he needed help such as after the temptation and an Angel would be there to help immediately. Luke 22 verse 42 reads "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an Angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.." What a terrible time for the Angels to go through after all their hard work of preparing the way for Christ then getting to know him, now he was about to be crucified.

Their sorrow for Jesus and the Lord would be a genuine sadness.

As Christ died on the cross the Angels were at work in Matthew 27 verse 51 "And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent..." After Jesus was resurrected and spent a short time on the earth it was time for him to assend to heaven to be with his father and meet all the spiritual beings who took such loving interest in his life.

Now it is time for Christ to return to the earth and Judge each and every one of us, and there will be an Angel who has spent time looking after us who will report whether we are worthy or not to join them in the kingdom with the Saints and prophets of old. What an honour to be given the chance to be like these beings who God trusts in to do his will.

Ezekiel 40 verse 44 explains about the chambers of singers in the inner court of the temple and we pray that we might be able to join that Angelic choir and sing praises to our heavenly creator for eternity.

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Past Kings and Their Lessons for Us - David by Lyndon Jackson

David was not a tall man, and in Halley's Handbook to the Bible it refers to him as a man "...short of stature, ruddy, of beautiful countenance, handsome, of immense physical strength, of great personal attractiveness, a man of war, prudent in speech, very brave, very musical and very religious." Some of these are backed up and found in 1st Samuel 16:18 "Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valour, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Yahweh is with him."

The story of David becoming king begins a long way back when Saul was still reigning as king over Israel and David was still a young lad in 1st Samuel chapter 16. It was also at this time when Samuel was called by God to go and anoint a new king to rule over Israel because Saul had done evil in the sight of the Lord.

This 'anointing' had to be done in secret behind Saul's back; otherwise the life of David could have been in danger. We read of this in 1st Samuel 16:1-4 where it says...

"And Yahweh said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel?"

it goes on to say

"...fill thy horn with oil, and go: I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite; for I have provided me a king among his sons. And Samuel said, how can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And Yahweh said, Take a heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to Yahweh. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. And Samuel did that which Yahweh spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the city came to meet him trembling..."

We read here that although Samuel wholeheartedly trusted in the God, he was still scared of the task set before him and feared for his very life! Yet this did not stop him carrying out what God asked of him. All to often we read something from the Bible or books of study and never really grasp the true extent of what it actually says and the time involved, for example, we just read that Samuel feared for his life when God asked him to go to Bethlehem and anoint the future king, right under the nose of the current King Saul, who would not have hesitated in killing him, but did any of us actually take into account the hours of anguish, fear and agonising thoughts that would have gone through his mind as he walked along that road towards Bethlehem? I know myself that this would have made me think twice. And this would have been the same fear that Peter felt in Matt 26:69-75 when he was following the Lord through the final hours of his life and denied him three times fearing for his own life.

David's first foot in the door to Saul's 'king-ship' came about from his fame as a musician. This musical talent he possessed bought him to the notice of King Saul, who did not know at the time that he had been anointed as his successor "And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing" (1st Samuel 16:17) ...It was from here that David became Saul's armour-bearer and threw David into association with the King and his Counsellors for the first time. In chapter 17 we see that David's residence at the Kings Court was only temporary and that he soon returned to Bethlehem to be with his family, and as the years passed by the boy David had changed so much that king Saul barely recognised him

"And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, as thy soul liveth, 0 king, I cannot tell. And the King said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is. And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. And Saul said to him, "whose son art thou, young man"? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite." [1st Samuel 17:55-58]

It is from this point that we lead into the story of David and Goliath. Socoh, where Goliath was encamped, was about 15 miles west of Bethlehem. Goliath himself was about 9 feet tall, his armour weighed about 150 pounds, (approximately 65 kilograms, which was probably about the weight of David at the time) and the weight of his spear-head about 20 pounds. (which is about 8 kg's) so when David's offer, armed with only a staff and a sling, to take on Goliath, was an act of unheard of bravery and amazing trust in God. His victory thrilled the nation. He became at once the King's son-in-law, commander of armies and the nation's popular hero. Chapters 18,19,20 it talks of Saul's increasing jealousy towards David. David's popularity turned Saul against him and Saul subsequently tried to kill David but he fled, and for years became a fugitive in the mountains.

Jonathan's friendship for David is found in chapter 20. Jonathan was heir to the throne. His brilliant victory over the Philistines in chapter 14 and his nobility of character were good evidence that he would have made and become a worthy king. But he had learned that God had ordained David to be King, and his graceful effacement of himself from the succession, and his unselfish devotion to his rival, form one of the noblest stories of friendship in history. Chapters 21 to 27.

David a Fugitive from Saul escaped to the Philistines, feigning insanity. Sensing danger he fled to the Cave of Adullam in west Judah; then to Moab then back to south Judah, in Keilah, Ziph and Maon. During his time fleeing from King Saul who was still hot after him David had accumulated approximately 600 followers, but David with God on his side, always escaped. It was in this period that he composed many of the Psalms.

At Engedi, Saul became trapped and David had every opportunity to kill him. But David, refusing to come to the throne by blood, spared Saul's life. And again, at Ziph, Saul acknowledged being a "fool" but this never stopped him from continuing to be one. At Maon David met a woman by the name of Abigail, a wealthy, tactful and gracious woman who became David's wife. David finally found refuge among the Philistines again, and continued to dwell there until the death of Saul. 1st Samuel Chapters 28, 29, 30 and 31.

The Death of Saul
The Philistines invaded the land, and encamped at Mt. Gilboa. One of the Philistine princes had wanted David and his men to go along with them. But the other princes did not trust David. So, David remained behind, and with his 600 men, guarded the South against the Amalekites. It was through these battles, Saul was slain. He had reigned 40 years (Acts 3:21).

Archaeological Note: Saul's Armour (31: 10).
It is here stated that Saul's "armour was put in the house of Ashtaroth" in Bethshan, and in 1st Chronicles 10:10, it is said that his head was "fastened in the house of Dagon." Bethshan (Beisan) is just east of Mt. Gilboa, at the junction of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. The University Museum of Pennsylvania (1921-30), uncovered, in Bethshan, the ruins of a temple of Astaroth, and also a temple of Dagon, the very same buildings in which Saul's armour and head were fastened. At least it is proof that there were such temples in Bethshan in Saul's day.

2nd Samuel - The Reign of David - David the Head of an Eternal Dynasty of Kings Chapters 1 to 6
These chapters talk of David's Grief over the Death of Saul. And although Saul tried many times and for many years to kill David, David still forgave him and loved him enough to grieve over his death. I wonder how many of us would cry over the death of somebody who had tried to kill us numerous times and made us live in fear of our lives for many years.

These chapters also tell us of the time when David was made King over Judah and how in the early years of his reign how he fought with Ishbosheth, Saul's son, for seven years. In chapter 5 and vs. 3 David was finally made King over all of Israel, where it says they anointed him and it was also then that he made Jerusalem the capital of Israel.

Chapter 7. God Promises David an Eternal Throne
The Old Testament is the story of God's dealing with the Hebrew Nation for the purpose of one day Blessing All Nations. As the story unfolds, it is explained that the way the Hebrew Nation would Bless All Nations would be through the Family of David. As the story further unfolds, it is further explained that the way the Family of David would bless the world would be through ONE GREAT KING who would one day be born in the Family, who would himself personally LIVE FOREVER, and establish a KINGDOM of ENDLESS DURATION.

Here, in this 7th chapter of 2nd Samuel, begins the long line of promises that DAVID'S FAMILY should reign FOREVER over God's people; that is, there should come from David an Eternal Family Line of Kings, culminating in ONE ETERNAL KING. Here are some of these promises:

• "Thy throne shall be established forever" (2nd Samuel 7:16).
• "If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel" (1st Kings 2-4).
• "A son shall be born to thee ... His name shall be Solomon I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever" (1st Chronicles 22:8, 9, 10).
• "If thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked... then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel." (2nd Chronicles 7:17, 18).
• "I have made a covenant with My Chosen. I have sworn unto David My Servant, Thy Seed will I Establish Forever, and build up Thy Throne unto all generations ... I will make Him, my first-born, higher than the kings of the earth... And my covenant shall stand fast with Him. His Seed will I make to endure forever, and His Throne as the days of Heaven... My Covenant; I will not break, nor alter the thing that has gone out from My lips. Once I have sworn by My Holiness, I will not lie to David His Throne shall be Established Forever." (Psalm 89:3, 4, 27-29,34-37)
• "The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David: he will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne" (Psalm 132:11).
• "In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen that they may possess ... all the nations, which are called by name, saith the Lord" (Amos 9:11, 12).
• "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no END, upon the throne of David" (Isaiah 9:6, 7).
• "There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots... which shall stand for an ensign of the people, and to him shall the nations seek" (Isaiah 11:1, 10).
• "Thou, Bethlehem (city of David)... out of thee shall come forth unto me who is to be ruler in Israel; whose going forth are of old, from everlasting ... He shall be great unto the ends of the earth" (Micah 5:2, 4).
• "O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord ... Behold, thedays come, saith the Lord, that I will raise up unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign ... and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 22:29; 23:5, 6).
• "If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of night, so that there should not be day and night in their season, then may also my covenant be broken with David" (Jeremiah 33:20, 21).
• "I will bring forth my servant the Branch... And I will remove the iniquity of the land in one day" (Zechariah 3:8, 9).
• "The man whose name is The BRANCH ... he shall build the temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne ... and his dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth" (Zechahah 6:12, 13)
• "In that day... the house of David shall be as God... In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David for sin and for uncleanness" (Zechariah 12:8; 13: 1).

Thus, the promise of an Eternal King, to arise in David's Family, was repeated over and over: to David himself, to Solomon, and again in the Psalms, and by the prophets Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah and Zechariah, over a period of some 500 years. By and by, in the fulness of time, the angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth, to Mary, who was of the family of David, and he said:

"Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the THRONE of his father DAVID; And he shall reign over the house of Jacob FOREVER; and of His Kingdom there shall be NO END" [Luke 1:30-33]

In THIS CHILD the Davidic promises found their fulfilment.

Chapters 8, 9, 10. David's Victories
After Saul's death David had been made king over Judah. 7 years later he was made king over all Israel. He was 30 when he became king. He reigned over Judah 7¼ years, and over all Israel 33 years; 40 years in all (5:3-5). He died at age 70.

Soon after becoming king over all Israel, David made Jerusalem his capital. Situated in an impregnable position, and with the tradition of Melchizedek, priest of God Most High, David thought it best suited to be the nation's capital. So, he took it, brought in the Ark of God, and planned the Temple (chapters 5, 6, 7).

David was very successful in his wars. He completely subdued the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, Edomites, Ammonites, Amalekites, and all neighbouring nations. "The Lord gave victory to David whither-soever he went" (8:6). David took an insignificant nation, and, within a few years, built it into a mighty kingdom.

In the southwest the Egyptian world empire had declined. Over in the east the Assyrian and Babylonian world empires had not yet arisen. And here, under David, the Kingdom of Israel, almost overnight, became, not a world empire, but perhaps the most powerful single kingdom on earth at the time.

Chapters 11, 12. David and Bathsheba
This was possibly the blackest spot in David's life, marked by adultery and virtual murder to cover the adultery. His remorse made him a broken man and God forgave him, but in forgiving him pronounced the fearful sentence, "The sword shall never depart from thy house" (12: 10), and it never did. David reaped exactly what he had sown, and more of it, a long hard and bitter harvest.

• His daughter Tamar was raped by her brother Amnon, who in turn was murdered by their brother
• Absalom led a rebellion against his father David, and was killed in the struggle.
• David's wives were violated in public, as he had secretly violated the wife of Uriah.

Thus, David's glorious reign was clouded with unceasing troubles.Yet this was the "man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). David's reaction showed him to be just that. Some of the Psalms, as 32 and 51, were born of this bitter experience.

Chapters 13 to 21. David's Troubles
Absalom probably knew that Solomon was selected to be David's successor as king. Hence this effort to steal the throne from his father David. Judging by the space given to the account of it, it must have been one of the most troublesome things in David's reign.It involved defection of some of David's advisers, and utterly broke his heart. But Absalom was finally killed and David restored to his throne. Then followed Sheba's Rebellion (chapter 20). Absalom's attempted uprise probably weakened David's hold on the people. So Sheba tried his hand at it too, but soon was crushed. Then the Philistines grew bold again (chapter 21) and again David was victorious.

Chapter 22. David's Song of Praise
Here, as in many Psalms, David exhibits his unfailing Trust in and his unbounded gratitude to God for His constant care.

Chapter 23. David's Last Words
That is, his last Psalm. It shows what David's mind was on at the end of his glorious but troubled life: the Justice of his reign as king; creation of the Psalms; his devotion to God's word; God's covenant with him of an Eternal Dynasty.

Lessons for us, taken from the life of king David...
All in all, David was a grand character and a man after Gods own heart, just as we all should be too. He did some things that were very wrong, such as in chapters 11 and 12 when we read of him committing adultery then murder, but for an oriental king, he was a most remarkable man. He was, heart and soul, devoted to God and the ways of God. He always desired to put God first, even when in fear of his own life, such as when Saul was pursuing him in the effort to kill him.

This here was a reflection of David's true love for God. Do we always put God first and foremost in our hearts when we are constantly surrounded and pulled from the strings of temptation in this world? which we could liken it unto Saul in pursuit to kill us. Do we put the fear of our very lives behind us to let the light of God shine through in our lives as David did? In a world of Idolatry, and in a nation that was continually failing away into Idolatry, David stood like a rock for God. He continually prayed to God for guidance in decisions he had to make and praised him for all blessings and victories he received. This too should be how we too live our lives. Constantly asking God for guidance in this present dark and evil world. Asking him to shine a light on our footsteps. We should always acknowledge God in our lives, through our successes and our failings. How easy it is to look to God in times of distress, but when things are going well how easy it is to forget, every now and then, who made all things possible. In every circumstance of life he went directly to God, in prayer, in thanks or in praise.

His two great accomplishments were: the Kingdom he established in Israel and the Psalms he wrote at the various points throughout his life. Let us too establish a kingdom of God in our own hearts. A kingdom that cannot be broken down from the constant desires and sin of this world which is for ever trying to pull as from the things of God. And let us also write and study on the things of the lord as David did with the Psalms. Let us use them for instruction, for uplifting us and for constant guidance as to what we should be achieving in. To David, Yahweh was a reality who was ever present to hear and watch over him, let us make him a reality in our lives so we can know and obey him also.

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Past Kings and Their Lessons for Us - Saul by Lyndon Jackson

Israel had been governed by Prophets and judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Now, Samuel was very old and set his two sons as judges over the people of Israel. However, they did not walk in the ways of their father as we can read in 1st Samuel 8 v 3-7 "And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment."

This foolish and insane behaviour soon took its toll on the people of Israel where we continue to read... from verse 4

"Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah. 5. And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that one should not reign over them."

So Samuel obeyed the words of the Lord and appointed the people their first king, Saul.

Saul
Saul was a handsome and humble man who stood head and shoulders over his brethren. But this did not stop the people from doubting their cries to Samuel for a king and the impact it would have on them... although this doubt was soon to disappear near the beginning of Saul's reign with brilliant victory over the Ammonites.

However, Saul's humble nature was not to last and humility soon gave place to pride. We read of Saul's First mistake in 1 Samuel 13 v 9. It is here we see that his successes as king quickly went to his head. The first sign of Saul's presumptive self importance was when he offered a sacrifice to the lord, this usually being the exclusive function of priests. (in vs. 9)

"And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. 10. And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came, and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him."

Saul had no idea what he was about to hear next (and from vs. 13)

"...And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly... Thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever-. 14. But now thy kingdom shall not continue... the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee."

God's lack of faith in Saul didn't seem to bother him and he went on reigning as king getting further and further away from the heart of God.

Saul's Second Mistake we read of in chapter 14 where he orders a foolish oath for the army to abstain from food. Verse 24 of 1 Samuel 14 reads...

"Now the men of Israel were in distress that day; because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before 1 have avenged myself on my enemies". "So none of the troops tasted food."

It goes on to say...

"The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. 26. When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out, yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. 27. But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honey comb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. 28. Then one of the soldiers told him, 'Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, 'Cursed be any man who eats food today! 'That is why the men are faint.' 29. 'That is ridiculous!' Jonathan exclaimed, A command like that only hurts us, see how much better I feel now that I have eaten this little bit of honey. 30. If the people had been allowed to eat freely from the food they found among our enemies think how many more we could have slaughtered."

Then the senseless death sentence Saul passed down for his son Jonathan, showed the people what a fool they had for a king. In 1st Samuel chapter 15:10-23 we read of Saul's disobedience towards God where he is finally told by Samuel

"Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 10. Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, 11. It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king... for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel, and he cried unto the LORD all night. 12. And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. 13. And Samuel came to Saul... and Saul said unto him. Blessed be thou of the LORD... I have performed the commandment of the LORD. 14.And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? 15. And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites... for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God, and the rest we have utterly destroyed. 16. Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. 17. And Samuel said, when thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? 18. And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. 19. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? 20. And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. 22. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king."

The lessons for us...
Saul was a man that began his reign as King with a good and pure heart, following in the ways of God. He soon strayed from walking in the Lord's footsteps and let his successes as king go to his head. This downward spiral continued to grow when he began making sacrifices to God in place of the high priests, and handing out ridiculous orders to his army. It was then when he had 'forgotten' the Lord that God gave up hope in him and went in search for another king to lead Israel. This is the same for us and our walk in the truth in that we should always keep God in the forefront of our mind if we are to have him guide our path in the way of righteousness. And if we forget him and all he does for us each and every day he too will forget us and go in search for those deserving of the Kingdom of God.

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