E-pistle for June 10, 2016
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epistle
FreeWay Foundation June 10, 2016
achish testifies of david's integrity
(I Samuel 29:1-11; 28:1-2)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I: Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. In the preceding chapter, the Philistines had gathered their armies to
fight Saul and the army of Israel; Achish, king of Gath, invited David
and his troops to go with them; David avoided a direct reply, saying
only, "Surely you know what your servants can do," I Samuel 28:1-2.
2. The Philistines assembled at Aphek, where 90 years earlier they had
defeated Israel and captured the ark; as David's troops passed in
review with Achish's men, the other Philistine kings angrily demanded
that David be sent home because they did not trust their former
enemy, vv. 1-5.
3. Achish told David the decision of the Philistine lords; David protested
that he had done nothing to deserve being dismissed, vv. 6-8.
4. Achish stated his personal confidence in David's loyalty; David and
his men returned home as the Philistine troops marched toward Jezreel
to fight Israel, vv. 9-11.
II. Meditation: on Achish's testimony about David
1. "Surely, as the Lord lives, you have been upright," v. 6.
2. "Your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good
in my sight," v. 6.
3. "For to this day I have not found evil in you since the day of your
coming to me," v. 6. (To this day I have found no fault in him
since he defected to me," v. 3)
4. "I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God," v. 9.
III. Revelation: on a pagan's evaluation of David's character
1. David had been honest and trustworthy in his dealings and relationships
with Achish.
2. David's conduct in carrying out his military duties had been good; he
had been faithful in obeying orders.
3. David had committed no evil against Achish, so Achish could find no
fault no make any charge against him.
4. David's character and integrity represented God's presence and power
in his life, according to Achish's evaluation.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Always be honest and trustworthy in my dealings and relationships with
unbelievers in the world.
2. Be faithful and obedient to my "boss," even though he may not be a
follower of the Lord.
3. Live so that no one truly may be able to accuse me of any wrong-doing.
4. Allow the integrity of my Christian character to point persons toward
God and bring Him glory.
how the gold has become dim!
(Lamentations 4:1-22)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jeremiah portrays the "before and after" conditions of the temple
(gold, stones) and of the men (precious sons): after the Babylonians
destroyed the city, gold was "dim," temple jewels were scattered,
mothers became indifferent to the needs of their children, and wealthy
citizens were reduced to abject poverty, vv. 1-6.
2. Jeremiah describes the Nazarites (high ranked nobles) as looking like
skeletons, emaciated by starvation; he relates that the mothers of the
besieged city have been forced into cannibalism, boiling and eating
their own children, vv. 7-11.
3. Jeremiah blamed the unbelievably tragic conditions upon the deceptive,
murderous, sinful prophets, priests, and other leaders of the nation . . .
who killed God's true prophets (v. 13; Jeremiah 26:11) and who had
looked to other nations for protection (v. 17) rather than looking unto
the Lord, vv. 12-20.
4. Jeremiah condemned the neighboring nation of Edom (the descendants
of Esau, Jacob's brother), predicting that they would be punished for
their treachery against Israel, vv. 21-22.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on some key verses in this chapter
1. "The precious sons of Zion . . . are regarded as clay pots, the work
of the hand of the potter," v. 2; all persons are like clay in the hands of
the Potter, Almighty God, Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18:2-6; Romans 9:21.
2. "The young children ask for bread, but no one breaks it for them,"
v. 4: "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give
good things to those who ask Him," Matthew 7:11.
3. "The punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is
greater than the punishment on the sin of Sodom," v. 6. persons
who have greater knowledge of God's truth will be held more accountable
than those who have less spiritual light, Luke 12:47-48; Matthew 10:15;
11:23-24.
4. "The adversary and the enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem
. . . because of the sins of the prophets and the iniquities of her
priests," vv. 12-13; leaders must walk obediently because their sins can
bring God's judgment upon a nation, Proverbs 11:11; 14:34.
III. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Yield my life to the Potter to be molded into a useful vessel.
2. Ask, with childlike faith, for good things from my heavenly Father.
3. Recognize my privilege and responsibility as an enlightened believer.
4. Walk with godly integrity so that my influence may benefit others.
"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."
--Harry S. Truman
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