2 Samuel 10
2 Samuel 10:1
The
Ammonites were descendants of Ammon, the second child of Lot conceived
through incest (Genesis 19:38). They conspired with their brethren, the
Moabites, to hire Balaam to come and curse the Israelites (Numbers
22:4-8). Because of this, Moses forbade them to enter into the
congregation of the Lord until the tenth generation (Deuteronomy
23:3-6).
Although kings of Israel often defeated the Ammonites, they
outlasted Israel as a nation. They were rebuked by God for their joy at
Judah’s captivity and were eventually cut off as a people (Ezekiel
25:3-7).
2 Samuel 10:2
Hanun's assumption cost him everything. He was a fool for not inquiring and at least finding out what David's men were doing there and why. His pride and fear cost him his life and his kingdom.
What blessings might we be missing out on because we assume someone has it out for us?
2 Samuel 10:3
Whose counsel do we seek? The people who will tell us what we want to hear or those who tell us what God wants us to hear? The ones we listen to can change the course of our lives and our history. It's the small decisions along the way of life that charts the journey which ends up being our story. So much in life is a series of choices. Be sure you inquire wisely.
2 Samuel 10:5
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It's proof to me just how helpful pictures can be as I searched for some images on this verse. I guess I was focusing on the beards being cut off more that how embarrassing it was for these men to have their robes cut off. But clearly this deleterious act was of utmost insult, not only to these men, but more to David. Growing of a man's beard was part of Israel's law. Obviously they would not just shave off the other side and go around unshaven as this was an outward appearance of disobedience to God or it was an indication that he had a skin disease such as leprosy.
THE BEARD LAW
The first instruction concerning the wearing of beards is found in Leviticus chapter 19, which
contains a list of laws that were to govern the Israelite's behavior as the Creator God's representatives
on earth. Each of these laws is meant to reflect God's character, his goodness, and his intended
perfect way of life for mankind. The Israelites were to practice and maintain Gods' righteous and holy
ways in order to prosper and show the distinct difference between God's way of life and mankind's
way of life.
- Israelite males are prohibited from marring the corners of an existing beard.
- A Levitical priest is prohibited from shaving off the corners of an existing beard. (bibleresearch.org)
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| Guinness World record 2012 |
Just curious how long a man's beard can grow? What options does he have? Is one beard holier than another??? This is getting fun, but not so serious for a Bible blog. Back to Psalm 20 now.
Psalms 20
Psalms 20:1
Notice that this verse says the Lord hears us in the day of trouble.
This implies that we have to call out to Him. The Lord loves all His
children, but we have not because we ask not (James 4:2).
We need to be dependent on the Lord and voice that dependency by asking
Him for His help. We don’t have to ask because we aren’t sure if He
loves us and wants to help; we can be sure that it’s His will to
intervene. But we should ask as an expression of faith that He is our
only help. ~Andrew WommackPsalms 20:3
In the Old Testament, God's people had to make offerings to God which was a foreshadowing of the ultimate offering that we now have. It's the ONLY offering we need to bring before the Lord now. Jesus is the only offering God accepts. Our faith, our worship, our obedience is all based on who Jesus is. So my offering is Jesus. Period. The Lord knows full well how Jesus' sacrifice or offering was the final gesture that pleased the Lord. I no longer have to plead with the Lord. This is something to think of as I have heard followers of Christ begging God to please forgive them (as if he hasn't until they ask.) To those who are in Christ, we have forgiveness of all sin, past, present, and future. We have freedom. We are accepted just as we are BECAUSE of Christ. He said that 'it is finished, because the last offering was made in Him. No more 'mi culpa'.
Psalms 20:7
People might think their possessions, their smarts, their money, their power, their position or their guns will give them things they want, but as believers, our trust should only be in the Lord as our possessions, smarts, money, power, position and guns can all be taken away. But God is one thing that no man can ever take from us.
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