2 Samuel 21; Psalm 118; John 2

June 20: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) We learn as much, maybe more, from the mistakes and missteps of others in Scripture as from their heroic successes. The Bible thankfully shows its characters warts and all, which makes the Lamb of God, without spot or blemish, shine that much more brightly.

2 Samuel 21: In this passage, David has to deal with the fallout from Saul having attacked the Gibeonites, (an Amorite tribe) , breaking the treaty Joshua and the Israelite elders made with them in Joshua 9. In that passage, the text's editorial comment is that they sought not the Lord's counsel. (Joshua 9:14) What if they had? There wouldn't have been this famine in David's time, there wouldn't have been a gentile tribe living in  Israel. Going back further, the events at the conclusion of the book of Judges might have have shaken out that way (Gibeah = Giebeon) and Saul's mirror of that terrible event when he became king might not have occurred either. However, there are indications the Gibeonites really did eventually incorporate into Israel (A Gibeonite is noted among the returnees from Captivity in Nehemiah).

Psalm 118:14-29: This is the song echoed by the crowd at Jesus' triumphal entry. What if Israel had at that time received her King instead of rejecting Him?

John 2:  In John 2:13-22 is another opportunity for the Jews to receive their King when Jesus cleanses the Temple. What would've happened if they'd have connected John's ministry with Jesus', received the correction, and brought forth fruits that were in keeping with repentance? 

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