Psalm 72; 2 Sam 3:22-39; Acts 16:16-24; Mark 6:47-56
Joab gets revenge and clears the path for David to become king. Joab’s brother has been put to death by Abner and Abner was also responsible for the setting up of Ish-bosheth as king over Israel when David was clearly intended to be king of all the people. When Joab hears that David had Joab one on one and didn’t kill him, he undertakes to do the job himself without telling David. David has plausible deniability in this killing, he can distance himself from the murder which is one more feather in his cap as far as the people are concerned. We don’t know what David expected when he and Joab had finished their conversation about Abner but it seems possible that David had some idea what would happen next. He does, however, call down curses on Joab and instructs him to join in the mourning for the man he has just murdered. All that David does pleases the people at this point, and this episode serves to further solidify his hold on the throne.
Jesus’ popularity is on the rise. As the disciples are in the midst of a storm on the sea, Jesus appears to them walking on the water and commands them to not be afraid and the word of peace He speaks is “It is I.” Fear may have gone from them when the wind died and the waves calmed but in their spirits they were certainly not completely at peace. How could Jesus have done all these things, walking on water, speaking to the wind and waves and received their obedience? Who is this man? It is important that we understand and know that Jesus is co-extensive with God the Father and that His command to the created order is obeyed in exactly the same way as the Father’s voice was obeyed at creation. His power is undiminished. The people, on hearing that Jesus has landed at Gennesaret run about the region gathering together the sick and lame for Jesus to heal but His disciples know now that He is much more than a healer.
Why does Paul get annoyed with the slave girl who is telling the truth about his mission? Her testimony is true but its source is evil. Her words draw attention to Paul but at the same time bespeak another power. Her owners have used this power for gain and the fact that she “knows” things is calling people to seek after her wisdom which does not come from the Lord. Paul commands not the person but the demonic force within her to come out of her and with that her power to foretell is gone and her owners no longer have this extra earning power they have enjoyed so they rouse the people against Paul and Silas to put them into prison. The word of the Lord, spoken by Paul, causes the demons to obey but people to rebel. Free will means that it is easier to command demons than people, we have the power to say no. We can reject His kingship or lordship over our lives in a way that the rest of creation cannot and it is certainly to our detriment that this is so.
Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.
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