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2 Samuel 21:15-17 The lamp of Israel - Day 268

Good morning friends,

We resume our 4 hour days with the grandsons today and we have a month left in this stay.  Time has really gone by quickly.  So it is fitting that this passage that I chose back on 5/26 is what I am writing on today 6/15.  One of the challenges as my generation begins to pass from the scene is to make sure that the church is build on the foundation of apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone.  It cannot be built on the efforts of individuals.

Blessings,

Jeff

The end of David's warrior days.  The folly of placing national identity in one person.  Ultimately, that person is going to loose the qualities  that made him a leader.  Here, David is no longer able to adequately defend himself.  Israel has placed so much trust in David that his death in battle would be worse than the army's defeat. History is full of similar stories.  Yet nations continue to place undue confidence in individuals.  Or long for the "good old days". 

How does David's passing from the scene relate to Genesis 3:15 promise?

I think there are several things:

1) As good as David was, a solely human leader is barely able to keep the nation together, let alone crush the head of the serpent.  Therefore, the one who fulfills the promise cannot be merely human.

2) The promise to David is a continuation of his line.  It is not that he would continue forever.  And the promise is contingent of perpetual and perfect obedience.  Neither David or any of his physical descendants can do this.  The one who crushes the head of the serpent must be a second Adam who does all that Adam failed to do and does not do what Adam did.

Application

As believers, our identify is in Christ alone.  It is not in the pastor or some other spiritual leader.  When we make the quality of our spiritual condition dependent on the church we attend or who our pastor is, we have gone astray.  The personal, vital relationship with Jesus through the Spirit is what really counts.

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