Year 1, Week 37, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 37, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; Psalm 53, 60, 75.

Today’s reading begins with two chapters that cover the same historical era. 2 Samuel 10 and 1 Chronicles 19 parallel each other and are a continuation of the military campaigns that were introduced in the previous day’s reading. The Ammonites provoked a war against Israel. David sent Joab and his military commanders into battle. The Ammonites secured the aid of the Syrians (aka Arameans), but Israel emerged victorious. Psalm 53, a Psalm of David, is very similar in wording to Psalm 14. Both Psalms explore the corruption of humanity along with the certainty of judgment: “There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you; you put them to shame, for God has rejected them” (Psalm 53:5). Psalm 60 is a Psalm of David, and according to its superscription, corresponds to the historical situation described in the previous day’s readings from 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18. Psalm 60 expresses confidence that the LORD will give His people victory over their enemies: “Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.” Psalm 75, a Psalm of Asaph, also declares the certainty of judgment toward all who oppose the LORD: "it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs” (Psalm 75:7-8).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was what it reveals about the kind of confidence and even courage that can come through a recognition of the LORD’s sovereignty: “For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps” (Psalm 135:5-6). God does whatever He pleases. The LORD is greater and mightier than anyone or anything else: “all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:35). No one nor any thing can prevent the LORD from doing what He purposes to do: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). The absolute sovereignty of God could be a source of profound despair, for He does what He wants and He is mighty enough to actually pull off what He wants to do. However, the LORD is also good: “You are good and do good” (Psalm 119:68); “Good and upright is the LORD” (Psalm 25:8). The LORD’s purposes are always designed by His goodness and justice. While the LORD does whatever He wants; He only and always wants what is good and just.

Joab, a fierce military commander of King David, was also a man who have a very good theology: “Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him” (2 Samuel 10:12). Because the battle involved the Ammonites and the Syrians, Joab needed to devise a military strategy that entail a fight on two fronts: "When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites” (2 Samuel 10:9-10). But Joab’s awareness of the LORD’s sovereignty undergirded His perspective concerning the battlefield. Joab did not have a clear understanding of the outcome of the battle, but he did have a clear understanding of the God who was sending him into battle. Joab knew that he would emerge victorious if and only if the LORD willed it. God does what He wants to do; however, we should be confident that He will always do what He deems good.

Such an awareness did not neutralize Joab; it activated him. Knowing that God will do what He wants to do, but also that He will only do what He deems as good for His people, instilled Joab with more confidence, not less. Joab admonished his forces to be courageous. Energized by courage, Joab planned strategically and acted accordingly: “And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you” (2 Samuel 10:11). Joab would face the more formidable foe in the Syrians, while his brother Abishai would face the Ammonites. In addition, whichever unit needed help, the other unit would come to their aid. Joab’s awareness of the LORD’s sovereignty did not leave him resigned to some notion of blind fate. No, Joab’s understanding of the LORD’s sovereignty enabled him to think strategically and act bravely. But Joab did grasp that the outcome of his military strategies and tactics were ultimately in the hands of the LORD. And on that day of battle, the LORD gave victory: “So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him. And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city” (2 Samuel 10:13-14). The Syrians folded and ran. And when the Ammonites saw what the Syrians did, they too folded and ran. Unlike Joab, the Ammonites and Syrians had nothing to give them courage, for they did not know the one true God.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe