Category: Bible (Page 63 of 355)

The story of David and Bathsheba darkens my rosy view of life. David turned a lustful eye toward a neighbor and events tumbled out of control. As a result David, along with the people of Israel, suffered under God’s judgment. The illegitimate child of the liaison died, as did Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband.

Uriah lived a principled live, devoted to king and comrades. After sleeping with Bathsheba, David recalled Uriah from the battlefield, thinking he would spend the night at home and enjoy his wife. Uriah refused. He told the king:

“The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”

David destroyed a gallant man in order to hide his sin. Along with Uriah’s life and David’s integrity, I wonder what else was wasted due to David’s taking of Bathsheba? One of David’s mighty men, what acts of bravery never materialized because Uriah not longer marched with the army? How many men suffered and died without their champion to lead them skillfully into battle?

Even from such a distance, it’s sad to dwell on the waste of a good man. But am I really much better than David? I’m guilty of sacrificing others in small ways to get what I want. What David did on a large scale, I do in miniature.

Depths of repentance and grace infuse the story of David and Uriah, and fortunately extend to you and me as well. With so much surrounding potential, if I choose to treat people with value and not simply as a means to get what I want, I help create (in a tiny way) a world where everyone flourishes.

2 Samuel 11 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Anis Rahman

Several years ago while on a trip to Ireland I learned about the phrase beyond the pale. The expression was first used way back in the 13th century to describe people who lived outside the parts of Ireland controlled by the British. Sections of the perimeter were fenced, which became known as the Pale, deriving from the Latin word palus, or stake. Wild Irish people lived beyond the Pale (some of them my ancestors).

Today the phrase points to behavior outside the bounds of good conduct or judgment. Actions that are simply unacceptable. The phrase popped to mind while hearing Paul share about his life before Christ. He hated those who followed Jesus:

I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

Crushing disciples of Jesus consumed Paul. He threw people in prison, signed death warrants, and hunted relentlessly. Paul forced believers to renounce their faith through threats and intimidation. Men, women and children felt his wrath. Paul roamed beyond the pale, hate-filled and merciless.

Yet God, in his mercy, flipped the man. With the same astounding drive, Paul began advocating for and spreading faith in Jesus Christ. Paul never forgot his past, remorsefully writing I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God (1 Corinthians 15:9).

No one exists beyond hope. No man or woman who opposes the Lord is too far gone to be reached by the mercy and grace of God. We should pray: Lord, flip those who oppose you and create fresh, humble champions of faith. Future followers of Jesus even now wander beyond the pale, waiting for a call from our Lord.

Acts 26 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Jan Canty

Where do you toss your shoes at the end of the day? I either pull mine off at the front door, or drop my muddy boots outside. Neither spot is a place of honor in my house.

In the midst of desperate battles, David recorded these words as God described his treatment of the enemies of Israel:

Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.

The Lord treats his enemies with disdain. He washes his hands in one and dumps his dirty shoes onto another. Over all he triumphs.

No enemy damages the Lord. No one rises to any level of opposition. All those who shake their fist in hatred do so with less power than the filthy corner of my garage.

It may sound like trite, religious feel-good language, but in our outraged and unbalanced world, it calms my angst to dwell upon the fact that the Lord rules the nations.

Psalm 60 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Dickens Sikazwe

I’m usually pretty decisive, but on big decisions I tend to delay before making up my mind. I like to keep my options open as long as possible.

Paul was imprisoned under the Roman governor of Judea, a man named Felix. Known for his cruelty and desire for money, Felix hoped to gain a bribe from Paul for his release. But first he, along with his wife Drusilla, wanted to hear from the fiery prophet:

Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

Lacking both righteousness and self-control, Felix returned Paul to the dungeon. But Felix called Paul back again and again. Likely only after money, but I wonder if Paul’s words sank into Felix or Drusilla’s hearts?

Felix showed interest, but couldn’t make a decision. Why? Did turning toward Jesus mean turning away from his position of power and wealth? Were his stack of crimes against the people of Judea too high to see over? Or was it all simply about lining his pockets?

People turn down Jesus for lots of reasons. Felix was not alone in his love of financial gain and power over people. But I still wonder how often in the following years he thought back on those conversations and questioned his decision to push Jesus away?

We don’t know much more about Felix or Drusilla. No tradition hints at either one embracing the Christian faith. Maybe we’ll meet them in heaven and discover their circuitous path to Jesus. But it sounds more likely that even with clarity from Paul, the greatest teacher of their era, they refused to make a decision.

And indecision becomes a decision in itself.

Acts 24 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Danielle-Claude Bélanger