E-pistle for September 22, 2016
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e-pistle
FreeWay Foundation September 22, 2016
What the tabernacle of david symbolizes
(II Samuel 6:1-23)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem from Kirjath Jearim
where it had been for 70 years (I Samuel 7:1); as they transported it by
cart, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah touched the Ark and died, vv. 1-7.
2. In anger and fear, David took the Ark into the house of Obed-Edom in
Gath, where it remained three months, blessing his family, vv. 8-10.
3. David enlisted the Levites to carry the Ark, as specified in Exodus 25:14
and Numbers 4:15; David led the procession with exuberant dancing as
they brought the Ark into Jerusalem and set it in a tabernacle he had
erected for it; David offered sacrifices, blessed the people, and distributed
gifts of food for the celebration, vv. 11-15, 17-19.
4. David's wife, Michal; the daughter of King Saul, despised David for his
undignified conduct; David defended the taking off of his royal robes to
dance before the Lord; apparently this incident caused a permanent rift
between David and Michal. vv. 16, 20-23.
II. Meditation: on the contrast between the tabernacle of Moses and of David
1. The tabernacle of Moses at Shiloh did not contain the Ark of the Covenant
(the symbol of God's presence) at this time; the tabernacle of David in
Jerusalem did contain the Ark, but without any of the other worship
furnishings. (See Psalm 78:59-60; Isaiah 16:5)
2. Moses' worship was formal and ritualistic with a spirit of fear, awe, and
reverence; David's worship was informal with singing and dancing, in a
spirit of joy and celebration.
3. Moses' emphasis was on the law, which was housed in the Holy of Holies,
a dark and private place; David's emphasis was on the grace and mercy of
the Messiah, symbolized by the Mercy Seat being open and totally available
for all the people to see.
4. Moses' tabernacle symbolized the holiness and inaccessibility of God, as
only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year; David's
tabernacle symbolized God's love for everyone, always.
III. Revelation and Application: on the significance of the tabernacle of David
1. Under David, the Ark was brought into the presence of the people rather
than being the separated, exclusive possession of the priesthood,
Through Christ, everyone has direct access to God, Hebrews 4:14-16.
2. David, taught the people to worship God with praise, celebration, and
rejoicing.
True worship involves the spirit, not just ritual, John 4:24.
3. David changed the emphasis from the law to grace.
Christ, our "Mercy Seat," (propitiation) is available to all who believe,
I John 2:2, 4:10.
4. The tabernacle of David represents the church, which includes Gentiles
as well as Jews.
All persons of all nations now may come to know God, Acts 15:16-17;
Amos 9:11-12.
Jonah preaches god's message
(Jonah 31:10)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the events of this chapter
1. Jonah's call from the Lord to preach to Nineveh was issued a second
time, vv. 1-2.
2. Jonah obeyed, entered Nineveh, and began to preach:
"Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown," vv. 3-4.
3. The people of Nineveh believed God and proclaimed a fast; the king
issued a proclamation calling the nation to repentance, vv. 5-9.
4. God saw their repentance and withheld His judgment from falling upon
them, v. 10.
II. Meditation: on how God deals with sinful mankind
1. God sends His messenger to preach a message of coming judgment
because of sin and to call for repentance.
2. The people hear the message and believe that it is a true message from
God and that HE WILL DO WHAT HE SAYS.
3. The people repent in godly sorrow and turn from their wicked practices . . .
in this case, the particular sin most prevalent in Assyria was "violence," v. 8.
4. God sees the sincere repentance of their hearts, and in mercy He forgives,
rather than administering the just punishment which is deserved.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. Before the Lord punishes sins, He gives warnings.
2. The proper response is faith . . . believing that there is a God and that what
He says, HE WILL DO.
3. Repentance . . . a change of the mind which results in a change of the heart
and of the conduct . . . is the necessary companion of faith.
Repentance is turning FROM sin; faith is turning TOWARD God.
4. When God sees true repentance and sincere faith in a person, He extends
mercy (taking away the deserved penalty of a guilty sinner) and grace
(giving the undeserved blessing of forgiveness and cleansing).
IV. Application: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Listen to the Holy Spirit, Who convicts me of my sins.
2. Live and walk daily by faith in the Living God.
3. Remain in a constant state of repentance, confessing and forsaking my
sins as soon as the Holy Spirit convicts me.
4. Receive with praise and thanksgiving God's twin gifts of mercy and grace,
extended to me through His Son, Jesus Christ.
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
--Confucius
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