For today, One Year Bible Online links here.
It is important to remember that these proverbs are advice TO a ruler rather than advice ABOUT a ruler. In addition, they are applicable to anyone in a leadership position. Successful rulers, and leaders, detest wrongdoing because the only path to lasting success for a leader of people is by basing that position of leadership on justice. If a leader does not value honesty over flattery they will not know what they need to make good decisions.
God’s laws and commands are such that it does not require an advanced degree to understand them. God has given His instructions so that even those with limited capacity can understand them. Once we have understood one part of God’s law, it will provide us the insight to understand more. We should not feel anger towards those who fail to keep God’s commands, rather let us feel grief for the unnecessary pain they put themselves through.
God’s words and promises have been tested. They will see us through difficult times. I learned the hard way that when I think I see a better way than what God’s word tells me, I am mistaken. I will listen for what His word instructs me to do. I will pray that His Spirit move within me to do as His word commands. I will pray to God early in the morning and late at night that He might show me His will for me and that His Spirit might lead me to follow that will.
Each of the Gospels begins their account of Jesus’ crucifixion with a reference to Psalm 22. Here John refers to the soldiers dividing Jesus’ clothes and throwing dice for His robe. John then continues referring to Psalm 22 when he notes that Jesus declared His thirst just before dying (this is also a reference to Psalm 69).
John then mentions that they gave Jesus a small amount of sour wine just before He died. I never really thought about it before, but it seems like John is telling us something significant by mentioning that. Several sources tell me that there are four cups of wine drunk in the traditional Passover meal (something I had never been aware of before this). Some of those sources claim that only three of the four cups were drunk at the Last Supper and that this was the fourth cup. I have never paid attention to the number of cups of wine drunk at the Last Supper and think that none of the Gospel writers really did either. However, there is a certain logic to the idea that this represents that fourth, and final, cup of the Passover. Jesus’ crucifixion represents a new “Passover”. Jesus is replacing the sacrificial lamb of the first Passover with Himself. I am not going to write more on this idea because I want to think about it some more, but I encourage each of you to consider the implications of Jesus’ drinking the fourth cup of the Passover just before He dies.
Immediately upon taking full control of Jerusalem, Ahithophel advised Absalom to give him control of a small group of men in order to set out after David at once. Absalom decided to consult with Hushai before following Ahithophel’s advice. It is worth noting that Ahithophel had joined Absalom as soon as he began his rebellion. Hushai only joined Absalom after he took Jerusalem (and did so in order to foil the advice given by Ahithophel, although Absalom had no way of knowing this). Hushai’s advice played on Absalom’s fear and his pride, but in a very subtle way.
There are two ways in which Hushai couches his advice. First, he plays up how mighty David and his men are as warriors, and David’s cunning as a military leader. By doing so, Hushai appeals to Absalom’s insecurity. Second, Hushai suggests that it would be best if Absalom leads the troops which defeat his father, playing on Absalom’s desire to be seen as a glorious military leader.