Thoughts on the Bible Readings (2 Samuel 10, Jeremiah 14 and Matthew 25) for July 24th

2 Samuel 10 verses 1-5 tell of David's kindness being spurned by Hanun who becomes king after the death of his father. David from a genuine attempt to promote harmony between Israel and Ammon sends ambassadors to comfort Hanun following his father's death. Hanun's advisors suspect that the mission of Israel's emissaries is to spy out the strength of Ammon. And so the ambassadors are shamefully treated by the Ammonites. David gives those ambassadors time at Jericho to regrow their beards before they return home. Verses 6-8 says that Hanun belatedly saw his mistake and is certain that retribution will come to Ammon and so he prepares for war by hiring a massive Syrian army. Verses 9-14 tell of the battle from Israel's tactics in the face of a huge confederacy arraigned against Israel. Joab and Abishai discuss the battle plan for the pincer strategy that has been devised against Israel. They will fight in different divisions, but near enough to each other to give support if the battle progresses badly for either Joab or Abishai. Verse 12 is the faithful rallying call for the Israeli warriors. Verses 15-19 describe the defeat of the mighty enemy host and their extensive losses after David and the remainder of Israel's army enter the fray.

Jeremiah 14 verses 1-6 speaks of famine, the sword and the pestilence being brought to the land of Judah. The word pictures show us the great suffering incurred by man and beast. The land becomes desolate and the dwelling place of wild beasts. Verses 7-9 contains a plea for the LORD is in His tender loving kindness to show mercy to His people. In verses 11-12 the prophet is commanded not to pray on behalf of his hypocritical nation. In verses 13-18 we have a description of the desolation. These verses tell us that the lying prophets have Judah had said that the nation would experience peace and not judgement. But the Almighty has a principle that says: there can be no peace to the wicked - Isaiah 57 verse 21. There must be righteousness before there can be peace: James 3 verses 13-18. Judah's prophets and priests had sadly choked the knowledge of their Sovereign from the Land. Verses 19-22 speaks of Jeremiah questioning God's dealings with His children. The prophet says that they acknowledge their wrongdoing. He claims that the nation has been humbled and that none of the false gods can deliver Judah.

Matthew 25 commenced with the parable of the ten virgins. Five were WISE and five were foolish. It illustrates the wisdom of being always prepared. Procrastination invariably catches up with those who are prone to it. That all ten virgins slept tells us that at the time of the end comparatively few of our Lord Jesus Christ's followers will be ready. Then follows the parable of the talents, and the keynote of the parable is faithfulness. We each have been given abilities and responsibilities that differ. What is important is that we fully utilise what we have been given; according to the principle to whom much is given, much is expected. Interestingly it was the one talent individual who totally misjudged our Lord Jesus Christ believing that he/she was not good enough for the Kingdom. What an entirely wrong perception for we are all only saved by grace and are no way worthy (of course there will be vast numbers of multi-talented individuals who have failed also). We must understand the gracious gift that is the good pleasure of our Heavenly Father to give His children the Kingdom. Perception is important and we must judge matters according to God's Word. The final judgment will be on the basis of our understanding of our Omnipotent Creator and his inestimable Son and so living. It is love-based rather than mere academic head knowledge. Read verses 34-46 aloud and consider if our actions measure up. Compare also Jeremiah's comments on what Josiah demonstrated in the knowing of his God in chapter 22 verses 15-16 of that prophecy.