Saturday, June 2, 2012
June 2
Today's Reading
2 Samuel. David's victory was shaky. The effect of Absalom's rebellion was to make everyone more tentative than before. It's what happens when a group of people go through what I call a "train wreck." Everyone wonders if someone else is about to abandon them; many question themselves and aren't sure if they can stay with the group.
Did you notice Amasa's failure to follow David's order to have the army assembled in three days. It is unlikely that David would have given the order if it wasn't feasible. Amasa's slow response was what put him face to face with Joab far away from the King. It cost him his life.
John. Three times, Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love Me?" Each time Peter's affirmation was followed by variations of "Feed My sheep." If Jesus asked you, "Do you love Me?", what would you say? If you said, "Yes," what would He tell you to do?
John's concluding statement is telling. "Jesus also did many other things." Truthfully, He's still doing them in and through His body, the church.
Psalms. What should we do with our troubles? Take them to the Lord! He WILL answer!
Proverbs. Wisdom will lead us around evil, whenever possible.
What do you see today? What do you wonder?
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I have a history question- when did Israel and Judah start referring to themselves separately like that? Why does Judah refer to itself in a distinct way like that? (Do I remember right that Jacob's name was changed to Israel, when he wrestled with God? Then the tribes come from Jacob's sons?) But then how did Judah start thinking of itself independent from the rest of Israel? I know the two eventually split into two kingdoms
ReplyDeleteWhat a great question, Julie! I will take a stab at it. For one thing, tribal identity seems to go all the way back to Jacob's twelve sons. The story of relationship and occasional conflict goes back to Rachel and Leah, plus the concubines they gave to their husband Jacob. Loyalties and alignments were happening throughout the lives of Jacob's twelve sons.
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense to me that the separation of identities between the ten Northern tribes (Israel) and the tribe of Judah can first be seen in the wilderness after the escape from Egypt. Judah was the largest and most powerful tribe. No doubt this fostered a tribal pride on their part and a jealousy on the other tribes' part. However, the tribal distinction can be seen clearly when God identified David as Saul's successor. Saul feared and hated David, plus he had the loyalty of all the other tribes. Judah naturally began to line up behind their own "son" who was to be king.
The strength of the kingdom of David and his son Solomon was such that the whole nation aligned as one. However, it is clear that underlying tensions remained. Those surfaced when Solomon's son Rehoboam made a foolish leadership mistake at the beginning of his reign. That's when it all came apart for good.