We ladies didn't get to have our Spring Bible Study because someone was really sick and apparently thought that was more fun than hanging out with friends. Alas. Plans for fall are already taking shape in my head if that makes anyone feel better.
In April I was invited to an area meeting of Precept leaders, and Kay Arthur was there to speak. This was the second time I've heard her speak live, and I must admit that I love this lady! She is wise, and she is REAL. I love it when ministry people are real. Don't you? I don't have time for fake. I was also inspired to commit to an in-depth Bible study. And where is the best place to go for those??? Why, Precept Ministries of course! I chose 2 Samuel. In the fall of 2006 I taught 1 Samuel and absolutely loved it. Due to a new work schedule and the crazy year that followed 2 Samuel was placed on the back burner. So, it's a study I've been waiting to do and now seemed the perfect time. Plus, I already had the book.
As usual, I'm always amazed at what I learn from these studies. Many of you know that I love being in the Old Testament. Talk about real people. Oh my. Sometimes I want to hide my face from their shame -- like it's worse than mine or something. It makes my heart leap with joy to know that my God is real, and He knows us well, and He isn't shocked by our thoughts or actions. Disappointed maybe, but not shocked.
Lesson 5 begins tomorrow. Today I just wanted to share a few new things I've learned thru Lesson 4. Later in the week I'll come back and share some other things with you which are much deeper and require more time. Three page blogs are hard for me to read.
One of the first things I learned is that 2 Samuel has a much different feel to it. It's bloodier. It's more heartbreaking. I didn't know that Uriah the Hittite was one of David's mighty men. It adds a completely different emotion to the story of David and Bathsheba. This man had fought with David for years as he fled from Saul. Uriah was still a valiant warrior and was serving David faithfully. How arrogant we all become when we think our relationship with God is on such a plane that we can do no evil thing. Gut wrenching betrayal.
I've always had a problem with God striking Uzzah dead when he reached out to keep the ark of the covenant from falling. It's been one of those little burrs that irritate and nag -- you know the kind -- well, if you're honest you know. I learned that David moved the ark without first learning God's instructions for moving the ark. The ark was sacred. It represented the holy place of God. There were very definite instructions, meticulous instructions, for everything ark related. And David did not follow those instructions. So many lessons in this passage. I now have an understanding of why God did what He did. More later.
I've also discovered that many of David's key people were related to him somehow. Joab, David's right hand man, was also his nephew. Fascinating. And Ahithophel, David's counselor who conspired with Absalom to take the throne from David, was Bathsheba's grandfather. Oh what tangled webs we weave.
For some reason I've always pictured Absalom as a young man when he decides to take the kingdom away from David. No. Today's culture might call it a mid-life crisis. Absalom lived in peace with his father after their 'reconciliation' for FORTY years before he acted. You know, Absalom also waited to get even with Amnon on behalf of his sister, Tamar. He was a schemer and an avenger. Forty years he waited. Amazing.
These are just a few of the facts. The ramifications of these and the practical, spiritual lessons to be gleaned from these events are vast. I can hardly wait to share.
Kay Arthur always tells us that in order to truly worship the God of scripture we must know His character. And how else to you learn God's character than by studying His Word? Precept upon precept. That's how you do it. What an adventure!
