September 19, 2015

The Turning Point

This article is about the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament. While reading through the Old Testament again, it was very uplifting when I finally reached the Good News in 2 Samuel where God promises a new Kingdom with unlimited mercy. Here the Lord is foretelling the birth of Jesus Christ and a new Kingdom. And after reading about how God had limited mercy on people such as Saul and Moses, it is certainly a turning point. One mistake often resulted in instant death, such as trying to reach out and protect the Ark of the Covenant from falling while it was being transported from one place to another. One mistake such as picking up sticks on the Sabbath day resulted in being stoned to death. Saul and Moses did not follow every detail of God's instructions and were shown little mercy. Even though they both asked for mercy, none was given. Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. He was only allowed to view it from a distance. And God took His Spirit from Saul and sent an evil spirit to torment him and David. Yes, God sent an evil spirit to possess Saul. There was no mention or fear of Satan at this time. Only God was feared, and for good reason.

David was a real piece of work. Trying not to be judgmental here and claim to be any better myself, but some of the things he did were pretty low. God made it clear to him that He was very displeased with some of his actions and that there would be punishment. However, David loved the Lord and wanted to build a new house for the Ark of the Covenant. It seems to me that this really impressed God. The Lord responded by saying: "Build a house for me?". Then the Lord said that He would build David a house. Not just any house, but a new everlasting Kingdom through the seed of David. This eventually resulted in Jesus Christ and the New Testament.

I will just let the Bible speak for itself:

2 Sam 7:1-16 KJV: And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.