Image from wikipedia.com
Hmm, is that a different voice narrating today? https://bit.ly/3Af9VIf
1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, "Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. 2 Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.' " 3 Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. 9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. 10 So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. (2 Kings 5:1-5, 9-10 New King James Version of the Bible)
Happy Wednesday, ConCafe Family! May this find you renewing daily in your faith and in your walk with the Lord, dear Friend, is my prayer.
Let's talk politics. Yes sir or yes, ma'am, who today would not welcome such an introduction at breakfast? Did I say it was 2021 politics? Nope. I won't go there today. Or tomorrow. But let's talk politics back in David's day, This would have been between the years 1035-970 BC. Now, I won't say politics then were any better than they are now; we're talking Saul hating David, and David humbly running for his life. And during those times unrest was common, and tribes outside the 12 of Judah and Israel, could come and attack at any moment and here the tribes of Israel come to David at Hebron and make a declaration to David; "You are related to us. You really were ruling over Israel when Saul should have been; and God said you should be the shepherd over Israel and the ruler of Israel; so whatcha say you become our king? And David agreed. The people at Hebron then anointed David king of Israel; thus uniting the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Now, my interpretation of the Star of David is that the two triangles, to me, represent the Northern and Southern Kingdoms coming together and forming that star (see today's picture), for that is what happened in this passage. David united the two and from Jerusalem ruled over them, making them a world power in those days in all senses of the word. Under David, spiritually and religiously, they enjoyed great strides; beginning the foundation needed for a house for God which would become the temple, that David's son, Solomon, would build. Politically, they were a major world power, and closely tied to that, militarily they were a force to be reckoned with; and in commerce, giants that controlled much of that part of the world. The last verse of this passage sums that up; "So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him."
Interesting. Compare the reception of the home boy by his people at Hebron, to Jesus' reception from the gospel reading for this week. Remember one of them, hint: It wasn't David! said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown." The reception for Jesus was ice cold and the people basically turned their backs on Him, thus limiting what they could and would receive from Him because of their lack of faith. The people of Israel at Hebron celebrate David and desire him to lead them and anoint him as their new king. The people of Jesus' hometown remind us of the crowds in Jerusalem on Thursday night and Friday of Holy Week. Not to mention they were truly "thorns in the flesh! God was with both of these servants; yet God's Son would suffer pain and agony and ultimately death because of their hard hearts. Israel and Judah would go on to achieve great earthly things during David's and Solomon's reigns; but compare Israel with Jesus. Jesus would go on to save the world from their sins (A much better accomplishment but people still to this day have not yet seen Jesus for Who He truly is and what He can truly do). I urge us not to be in that camp! God already has a bunch more thorns than He truly needs or wants!
Simply defined, politics are the interactions between two or more people in a setting that allows one or a majority of those gathered together to make decisions. Take for instance, three coworkers going to lunch. Where they end up eating will have been the result of politics. One prefers a place, the other dislikes that place; some discussion and then an agreement or compromise, I.e. "we'll eat there this time; next time we'll go to your place." Jesus said He would be present where two or more gathered in His name, meaning if He were invited and listened to; and the same holds true even today. If we don't invite the Lord to be with and among us, there is no telling what will be the result of our time together. Other factors that could easily fracture or divide the group need to be taken into account and dealt with, or the next meal will see two different groups going to two different places to eat. The unification at Hebron was the result of having God present and involved; the lack of miracles at Jesus' hometown was the result of people not caring that God's Son was there among them. The same happens in our lives; if we pray and invite God to come with us, great things happen. If we decide to go it on our own, well, anything can happen; our openness to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit can lead us to wonderful blessings and gains for God's kingdom. It's our choice!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, speak to our souls and remind us of Your great love and peace. Bring unity to where we find ourselves fighting and bickering about things that ultimately don't matter. Bring to us Your peace and wisdom to better serve You and bless You; this we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be the unifier in your group; invite Jesus to be there!
Receive my blessings of peace and joy,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
