May 28

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR MAY 28, 2025: 2 SAMUEL 13, MARK 10, PSALM 47                                                   2 SAMUEL 13 With David’s many wives and many children, a complicated family dynamic was unavoidable due to the numerous half siblings in close proximity. “His [David’s] firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess” (2 Sam. 3:2). Likely, Amnon felt entitled because of his firstborn status. He was obsessively attracted to his half-sister Tamar, who was the daughter of the king of Geshur. Amnon’s great frustration was noticeable to his cousin Shimeah. If Shi-- meah had been a godly friend, he would have reminded Amnon of Lev. 18:11: “The nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, born to your father, she is your sister; you shall not uncover her nakedness.”  In- stead, Shimeah suggested a deception that allowed Amnon opportunity to rape his half-sister. As soon as he finished this assault, he lost interest in her, proving that he never really cared for her. Tamar conversely became visibly distraught, with torn clothes and ashes on her head. 

Absalom, Tamar’s full brother, noticed her condition and guessed what happened with Am-- non. He tried to encourage Tamar and took her into his house. David, though he may have been a distant father, eventually learned about this sin and was angered by it. Absalom kept quiet but developed a simmering hatred for Amnon. According to Jesus, the better reaction for each would have been to address the situation directly, as Nathan did with David: “Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother” (Matt. 18:15). Perhaps David felt his own sins had disqualified him from offering moral direction.

After biding his time for two years, a sheepshearer's celebration provided Absalom with the chance for revenge. He prepped his servants to slay Amnon at his signal, after Amnon had a few drinks of wine. Once the murder was committed, all his other brothers fled on muleback. This unaddressed hatred for Amnon eventually played itself out in violence. While we might not murder anyone, our unaddressed evil thoughts will also eventually manifest themselves in our sinful actions: “For from within, out of the hearts of people, come the evil thoughts, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, acts of adultery,  deeds of greed, wickedness, deceit, indecent behavior, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness” (Matt.7:21-22).

Absalom, likely concerned over David’s anger over Amnon’s murder, fled to his mother’s na-- tive area of Geshur. He stayed there for three years. David, having recovered from grieving over Amnon, longed to reestablish relations with his son Absalom. David never stopped loving his children no matter how they acted. In this way, he is a picture of God. Yet, it is not as clear from the text that he actively engaged in their spiritual instruction as God often commands: “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up” (Deut. 6:6-7). “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).  

READING FOR MAY 28, 2025 CONTINUED: MARK 10, PSALM 47                                             MARK 10 Quite a few of us at church have been professional educators. Isn’t it great that the text affirms our craft when it says Jesus was accustomed to teaching.  The Pharisees are like certain students in our classrooms who are not interested in learning, but in tripping us up.  This was the intent of their question about divorce. Jesus responded by pointing to the Mosaic Law, which, being strict law keepers, they liked a lot. His next comments are stunning and worthy of a doctoral dissertation, not a few sentences. Jesus said that God’s design for marriage was a lifelong commitment. He said Moses allowed a lesser standard because of that culture’s hardheartedness, but now, thousands of years later, Jesus reinstates the original stricter creational standards regarding divorce and remarriage. This standard can be lived today because believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit after Pentecost: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). As was mentioned when Matt. 19 was discussed, anyone who has already divorced and remarried can seek and find full forgiveness from God (1 John 1:9). That’s why Jesus went to the cross!                                  Once again, we are running out of space with much yet to be said. Here are some highlights:

  • We must come to Jesus like a child, fully trusting His love, wisdom, and power--not our efforts.
  • Money can be a false idol that blocks faith in God. Wealthy people can come to faith, but it’s hard.
  • By giving up our fixation for wealth, relationships, or any asset to follow God, we receive many more rewarding blessings from God now and the guarantee of eternal life. FAITH IN JESUS IS WISE!
  • Again, Jesus teaches His disciples about His suffering, death, and resurrection. This is the third chapter in a row, yet they were still shocked when it happened. Clearly there was nothing in their experience or knowledge that provided a framework for them to grasp this concept. God’s ways are beyond ours.
  • Didn’t Jesus also address the issue of kingdom prominence in Chapter 9? Why are we like this? SIN.
  • Isn’t Bartimaeus’s loud insistence for Jesus great? Jesus agrees (vs. 52):“Your faith has made you well.”

PSALM 47 Do we shout and clap our hands when we worship God? There are some black and charismatic churches who do this. Visit a Christian college chapel service to observe this. Better yet, let’s obey this command at Yorktown Methodist, not just at Purdue basketball games. Why? Because our Lord is the highest being (ranked #1) in the universe and is a great king over the whole earth—not just a leader of one religion among many.  Perhaps the Psalmist was speaking of countries under Israel’s authority in verse 3.  Perhaps he was also looking to the future: “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” (1 Cor. 6:2). Isn’t it wonderful that the Lord chooses our inheritance? He decides our place in this world and the next. Again, what is our appropriate response to a God like this? “Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises... Sing praises with a psalm of wisdom” (vs. 6-7). This kind of praise is not mindless group dynamic like at a political rally or rock concert.  It calls for our deepest understanding of the character of God and our relationship to Him.