David is forced to leave the city he built. As he goes four men come to him in loyalty,
Ittai the Gittite, a foreigner, the priests Zadok and Abiathar bearing the ark,
and Hushai the Archite. Ittai, even
though a foreigner, attaches himself to David and will not be dissuaded from
following him no matter the hardship to him or his family. The priests, bearing the ark with them, are
sent back to the city. David is not
bigger or more important than God and Jerusalem is the city of God whether
David is there or not. They are also to
be not only seers in the religious sense but also as watchmen and spies who
will see for David. When David hears
that Ahitophel, one of his own trusted advisers, has joined up with Absalom, he
prays that Ahitophel's counsel will be frustrated and no sooner has he prayed
than the means for accomplishing that prayer are answered in Hushai whom David
sends back to insinuate himself into Absalom's cabinet to counter
Ahitophel. It is a sad procession, a
black day indeed for the nation. Interesting
that the king, the one from whose line Messiah will come, learns of his betrayal
by a trusted friend at the Mount of Olives isn't it?
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Bartimaeus cries out to Jesus, ascribing Him
great honor by this title, Son of David, yet the people want to silence his
cry. They, too, believe Jesus is an
important personage and surely it is wrong for the blind man to demand
attention. Just as we saw David
responding to people even as he was burdened with care over the Absalom revolt,
so we see Jesus, going to His apparent coronation, although we know better,
responding to this man Bartimaeus, further proving His greatness and
goodness. Even at this hour it isn't
about Jesus, He is not so focused on the next few days that He fails to hear
one crying for mercy. Bartimaeus knows
this is his one opportunity to get what he so longs for, recovery of his sight,
and his persistence and faith are rewarded.
The tribune who has had Paul arrested has no idea who Paul
is, a complete case of mistaken identity.
He thought he was Egyptian and had previously stirred a revolt and when
Paul spoke to him in Greek he was startled.
When Paul addressed the people in Hebrew they, too, were taken aback,
only a real Jew spoke Hebrew, most of them spoke Aramaic, it was primarily
rabbis who maintained the language. His
credentials are greater than nearly anyone who is listening to him, both as a
Roman citizen and a well-trained rabbi. This
arrest has provided him an opportunity to speak to a multitude of people and a
safe platform since he is in Roman custody.
Amazingly, he takes this chance not to talk about his own righteousness
and make his defense, but rather to talk about what Jesus has done for
him. It isn't about Paul, it never is.
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