READING FOR APRIL 17, 2025: 2 SAMUEL 4, 1 CORINTHIANS 10, PSALM 32:6-11 2 SAMUEL 4 With the loss of Abner, Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, was greatly weakened. The rest of Israel perceived this as well. Ever notice, in business, sports, or politics, that when a downward slide begins, those who we thought were totally supportive of us are not so dependable? Such is the case with Rechab and Baanah, who were fellow Benjaminites and leaders in Ish-bosheth's army. Reading the tea leaves and looking out for themselves, they assassinated Ish-bosheth and brought his head to David as proof of their deed.
Their problem is that they assumed that David would be happy with their action and reward them. They were sadly mistaken and were executed at David’s command with their body parts hung up publicly in Hebron. They were never directed by David to kill Ish-bosheth. David did not see himself as an enemy of Saul or his household. He was content to, yes, defend himself, but also allow God to bring him to the throne. He sought to achieve God’s purposes God’s way. The question for us: Are we totally clear what God’s Kingdom purposes are for us and the right way to achieve them? Consider this statement by the missionary Hudson Taylor: “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.” Begin by seeking God’s direction in prayer and God’s word.
1 CORINTHIANS 10 Verses 1 – 13 – Paul calls the faithful to learn from the History of God’s people. He lists several Biblical stories where people perished due to their lack of faith. Paul warns that these stories were preserved so that we can learn from them and not fall into sin. Paul also tells us that through God’s strength, the faithful can overcome every temptation. Satan may be powerful. But, God is more powerful if we allow our faith to pull us through.
Verses 14 – 33 – Paul now begins teaching about idolatry. He cautions the Corinthian church not to participate in the feasts offered to pagan gods. His reasoning is that participating in the actual feast constitutes condoning the worship of idols. To support this teaching, Paul begins with a short discussion about the Lord’s Supper. He will go into more depth about it later in his letter. For now, he uses the practice of the Lord Supper to underscore its significance. The people undertake the ritual to enter a time of fellowship with the resurrected Christ. Taking of the cup and the bread is a form of worship. Paul further emphasizes the ritual sacrifices that the people of Israel undertake at the Temple are a way of worship. If we believe that these are acts of worship, then we must accept that eating at a pagan feast is off limits.
READINGS FOR APRIL 17, 2025 CONTINUED: 1 CORINTHIANS 10, PSALM 32:6-11
Paul then gives some suggestions for the way to live:
1. Eating food from the market is acceptable (even if it was from a pagan temple – see early discussion in Chapter 8).
2. If you go to a pagan’s home, eat what is served to you with one exception.
3. The exception is if the host tells you that the meal is part of a pagan feast. Then you should not eat the meat sacrificed.
Paul ends the chapter by saying that whatever you do, do it in a manner that honors God. Even what we eat, how we eat it, and where we eat it can be a way of honoring God. The way we live should not cause anyone to stumble as we are living our lives.
PSALM 32:6-11 This is the second half of a psalm giving praise to God for God’s forgiveness. It begins with a call for all who have faith to pray to God. It is God alone who will protect us from the trouble. It is God who delivers us from our sin. The psalm then turns to give instruction to the worshippers. The writer (David) instructs us to not be stubborn like the horse or mule. We must be open to God’s leading. The psalm ends by a call to the righteous to worship God. God’s love will surround us as we live faithfully. We are to sing praise to the God who loves.
