God’s Plan

Arrogance

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Bad Counsel Caused Division

Book of 1 Kings Chapter 12

We have a new president, and we hope those he chooses as councilors will help lead him to make our nation great again.

The best advice that any should give him is to return our nation to the Lord our God.

We can be assured that he was chosen to lead the United States of America by God Himself and God has His reasons, and it is His will.

Our lesson today covers one of the most important times in the history of Israel.

The division of the tribes of Israel caused many bad feelings that have not been overcome even in our day.

These were also important times for the Church because as Christians we need to understand the history of Israel to understand the prophets and prophecy.

Israel will divide into a Northern Kingdom and a Southern Kingdom.

We will also see that God loves the Gentiles who the people of Israel considered to be heathen.

These things were not done in secret. God had warned Solomon just as He warns us all today.

Now, God does not cause these things to happen, He allows them to happen.

God has given us free will to choose between right and wrong and He guides us to show us the right way.

God cannot be blamed for the wrong that is done in our world because He will not force us to do right nor will He force us to do wrong. He just tells us the truth!

As King Solomon died at the young age of around sixty the turmoil began with his son Rehoboam.

*1Ki 12:1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.

We know that King David had ruled as a conqueror.

King Solomon ruled as a man of peace but high taxation.

The people of Israel had no benefits from the rule of King Solomon except they lived in peace.

After King Solomon, the people wanted to modify the character of the next government.

Arrogance is a terrible evil. Arrogance puts people down and then pushes them away, treating them as inferior.

Here in America, we understand this very well.

We have seen this in our last few Democratic governments so we can relate to the people of Israel during the time of King Solomon.

This arrogance was passed down to Solomon’s son Rehoboam.

Rehoboam possessed none of the traits of his father other than arrogance.

Rehoboam possessed none of the traits of his grandfather David.

Rehoboam was recognized as heir to the throne of his father.

The coronation of Rehoboam was to take place at Shechem.

It was at Shechem that Abraham built his first altar in the Promised Land and received the promise of Jehovah.

It was at Shechem where Jacob bought a parcel of land from the children Hamor and settled with his household and where he buried the idols of his wives under a tree named “the oak of the sorcerer”.

It was at Shechem where Jacob dug a well where the Lord Jesus would meet a Samaritan woman.

It was at Shechem where Joshua gave his parting address and made a covenant with the people.

Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Shechem was a special place of the promises of God!

It will be at Shechem where Rehoboam will show his arrogance and cause Israel to become a divided nation.

It was at Shechem where Jeroboam took up his residence for a while.

It is Shechem that is said to be the most beautiful place in all of Palestine.

*1Ki 12:2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)
1Ki 12:3 That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,
1Ki 12:4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.

Jeroboam, who King Solomon had run out of town was now back and was taking the lead voice of the opposition to the kingdom under Solomon.

1Ki 11:40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

We could ask ourselves why.

1Ki 11:28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.
1Ki 11:29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
1Ki 11:30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
1Ki 11:31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
1Ki 11:32 (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)
1Ki 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

The name Joseph denotes the two tribes Ephraim and Manasseh and Ephraim denotes the Kingdom of Israel and then the whole covenant people of Israel.

From Ezekiel, we see this thing:

Eze 37:16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
Eze 37:17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
Eze 37:18 And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
Eze 37:19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.

We can now see the other side of the rule of King Solomon.

There were heavy taxes under Solomon.
Tyrants oppressed their subjects with grievous impositions.

This tax and impositions were not only for the people which would have been ok, but for the expenses of Solomon’s court.

This tax supported all the wives and concubines of King Solomon and any whim he took part in which did not set well with the people.

This tax-supported all the festivities of Solomon’s lavish lifestyle.

We should keep in mind that King Solomon was the richest person to have ever lived, but he kept those riches to himself when he could have paid all the taxes and still been rich.

When Solomon forsakes the Lord and worshipped idols then the people surely had enough of him and were glad to see him go.

To the average Israelite, being under the burden of such high taxes was like a yoke laid upon beasts of burden and seemed more like servant work rather than living in peace.

As long as King Solomon walked with the Lord, he was important as the Holy Spirit guided this author, but as soon as he forsake the Lord God Jehovah he became insignificant, not just to the people but also to Jehovah.

In a sense Solomon destroyed himself and it was not helping his son Rehoboam.

Millo was a new fortification that protected Jerusalem from an attack from the north. It is also called the Citadel.

Solomon also repaired any weak places in the walls of Jerusalem.

Solomon began to fear the loss of his kingdom which was impossible because of God’s promise to King David.

All King Solomon had to do was to remain faithful to Jehovah.

Solomon took his eyes off the Lord and fell into the trap of lust.

1Jn_2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Let us see this history of Israel develop.

*1Ki 12:5 And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.
1Ki 12:6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
1Ki 12:7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

Now the Son of Solomon, Rehoboam was facing some angry people, especially those of Ephraim who were being led by an angry Jeroboam.

We already know that Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor.

1Ki 11:28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.

Solomon had determined to kill Jeroboam for what God’s prophet had said to him.

We all know that we cannot change what God has said will take place!

Rehoboam was at least wise enough to seek counsel before responding to the people of Ephraim.

Shechem was a twelve hour walk from Jerusalem, and it would take some time for the councilors of Rehoboam to reach Shechem and to meet with Rehoboam.

Rehoboam had sent for the councilors of his father Solomon and his friends who he had been raised with.

These were a bunch of rich spoiled kids who had no worries growing up and knew nothing of ruling government.

Solomon had caused every Israelite to serve one month in government service and then two months at home until all his building project had been completed and many more of them were drafted into the military, but not these young men who had rich parents.

Solomon required heavy taxes upon the people and the rich just got richer and the poor got poorer, and the poor were seeking some much-needed relief.

All the building projects were complete and such taxes were certainly no longer needed.

Rehoboam had inherited the riches of his father, and he certainly did not need more riches.

For years the people had been complaining about the harshness of King Solomon, but nothing changed.

Rehoboam first consulted with the elders who had counselled his father, Solomon.

There was wisdom in the council of the elders, good for every government.

A government that serves the people will be a lasting government.

A government that listens to its people and takes action to help them will be a lasting government.

The government that does these things will find people who will willingly serve the government.

This is the principle behind the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus came to serve!

Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Jesus taught us that whoever would be great must begin by being a servant.

The proud and lofty in this world are served enough without taking the needs of the poor.

Rehoboam was already forty-one years of age, he should have known better, but his mother was a pagan, and he had witnessed his father worship a pagan god.

1Ki 14:21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother’s name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

Rehoboam next turned to his friends who were not so young being his age but certainly younger than those elders.

Rehoboam forsook the council of the elders and turned to his rich friends.

*1Ki 12:8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
1Ki 12:9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
1Ki 12:10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
1Ki 12:11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

Now we should not think of these young men as in their twenties or their thirties.

Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he succeeded his father on the throne, and we should expect those men that he grew up with to be about his age but they were still spoiled rich kids.

Rehoboam was even more arrogant and prideful than his father Solomon.

He would tax these tribes even more than his father and increase their workload.

He even mentioned scourging.

If we do nothing else in our lifetime we need to guard against arrogance and pride!

These things do not suit the Christian who is following in the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave us the example of humility.

These younger men had grown up living in luxury and wealth and they knew nothing of an honest day’s work.

They knew nothing of responsibility!

These were pampered men with childish ways.

They had no respect for the people of Israel!

Sounds a whole lot like the America we have been living in where our government had no respect for the taxpayer, and we hope these things change with our new government.

We as the children of God are not better than anyone else in this world though we may be better off because our names are written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

None of us are to be slaves to arrogant governments or anyone else!

In many places, God speaks against these things.

Psa_10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
Psa_10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Pro_8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Pro_16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Rehoboam claimed that his power would far exceed that of his Father King Solomon.

Pro 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
Pro 10:15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

What happens eventually in such cases? People rebel.

Jeroboam knew exactly how the people of Israel had suffered under King Solomon, and he now had the respect of ten of the tribes of Israel.

Jeroboam now clearly understood what the Prophet Ahijah had told him.

1Ki 11:29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
1Ki 11:30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
1Ki 11:31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:

God keeps His reason for doing this very simple.

1Ki 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

We talk many times about God keeping His promises and we can be sure He will also keep those promises of forsaking Him.

In the end, Jeroboam was not so much different from Rehoboam, but he would still rule Ephraim which included ten of the tribes of Israel for twenty-two years.

*1Ki 12:16 So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
1Ki 12:17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

The United Kingdom of Israel was dissolved before Rehoboam was crowned as King of Judah.

Rehoboam was a weak and wicked man!

There is an old saying that says “he who would rule others must first rule himself”.

We should understand by now that God gives opportunities to individuals and nations even though they will not improve them.

It was the divine plan of God to give Jeroboam control of the ten tribes of Israel even though God knew that Jeroboam would also forsake Him.

We may not understand this, but Jehovah has a much greater plan in motion.

Now this does not mean that Jehovah caused Jeroboam to act the way he did because he was allowed to do good and he failed to do so as he too became arrogant and prideful.

We must also understand that Jehovah is not sitting in Heaven waiting to see what rulers will do and he is not ever caught off guard.

God gives everyone a chance to do good when opportunities are given to them.

It is that sinful nature that gets us in so much trouble.

Rehoboam would rule Judah and Benjamin.

Rehoboam tried one more thing to insert his authority over those who rebelled.

*1Ki 12:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

Adoram (or Adoniram) was the man over the taxes or tribute for King Solomon and now for King Rehoboam to either collect the taxes or make a compromise with the tribes of the north, but he was stoned to death and Rehoboam left for the safety of Jerusalem.

Adoram was the wrong man to send for he was famous for his harsh policies of forced labor.

From this point in the history of Israel, the name Israel referred to the ten Northern Tribes and the name Judah referred to the Southern Tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

*1Ki 12:19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
1Ki 12:20 And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

Jeroboam becomes the king of the Northern Tribes of Israel.

We should understand that Ephraim had always felt the most important since the time of Joseph, but Jehovah does not see it that way and God made sure promises to the House of David still recognized as Israel’s greatest king.

Again, we must understand that Jehovah has guided the nation of Israel with a special purpose, but He guides the history of all the world in the same way.

God gave mankind free will to follow Him or not to follow Him.

We must also understand that nothing in this universe is outside the scope of Jehovah’s sovereign rule!

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

The will of God is made known in real-time.

It is each believer in the Lord Jesus Christ that is chosen by Jehovah and He made this decision before He created any part of this world.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

There is no one alive today, no one who lived in the past or who will live in the future that Jehovah will not offer an opportunity to be adopted into the family of God, and it all centers around the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Our purpose is not here on this earth even though we will be given opportunities while we are alive.

Even the death of the Lord Jesus Christ was determined before the foundation of the world was laid.

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Our God has this amazing plan for every believer, and we could look at our world as the place God has chosen to separate the believer from those who reject Him.

Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

We simply cannot comprehend the wisdom and the knowledge of our Divine Savior.

He does not have to consult with anyone, and no one has advised Him.

It is because God knows all things before, they happen, and He controls and guides all events for His Own Glory and For Our own Good.

Psa 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Pro 3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

God does not ever have to adjust His plan according to the things that happen here on earth, He simply knows all things!

Amen

The Promises God Makes

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Remembering the Promise to David

Book of Psalms: Psalm 132

This is another Psalm that was sung as the Israelites traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast’s days as commanded by God.

They had begun to remember the promises of God and it brought joy to them just as it does to each of us.

If we take a look into David’s past, we will see all the pains, the trouble, and anxiety he underwent in his lifetime for the cause of God, especially in the establishing a sanctuary in Jerusalem and making preparation for the building of the Temple.

David was building God’s special dwelling place on this Earth, a place where God would meet with His people.

If you do not have a longing to meet with God, then you cannot be a Christian!

You cannot be a Christian because the Holy Spirit will not come to live within you!

Every Christian is a sanctuary for God to dwell in!

If we look at the very first word of this Psalm, we see the word LORD, this is the Almighty God Himself, Jehovah.

David had accomplished what no lowly shepherd could accomplish.

Except we do know of another man who was a shepherd who came to save His people and His name is Jesus the Christ, the Messiah.

We know that special days are set aside to honor special people and some of the heroes of our nation.

In fact, almost every nation has set days to remember their national heroes.

For the Israelites, David was a hero and in fact, David is still honored as one of the Jews greatest heroes.

The Star of David is the national flag of Israel today.

The “Sling of David” is the name of one of the air defense systems of Israel.

This Psalm was probably written for the dedication of the Temple built by Solomon.

We know that David had spent many years gathering the wealth to build a magnificent Home for God, when He would come to visit this planet, but we know that God is everywhere, and He even abides in every “Born Again” child of God.

He lives in every person who has their name written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

David was now dead and gone, we know He is with the Lord, but the Jews had a great fondness for King David.

By remembering the hardships David faced before he was made king, it inspired the Jews to face their own hardships!

It has never been easy to live in this world since the sin of Adam, and it is not always easy to be a Christian.

We do still live in a cursed world!

The word cursed is used seventy-two times in the Bible.

We know that the Serpent who was Satan is cursed:

Gen_3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Gen_3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

If you look up the word cursed in the Bible, you will see that many of our leaders of today are cursed by their actions.

Deu_27:25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.

We know we have been sold out by our leaders for riches, they will never spend.

We know that every doctor who is paid to end the life of an innocent baby is also cursed.

God has also placed a curse on all those who reject any part of the Scriptures:

Deu_27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

And to all those so-called churches that have left the truth of the Bible, God says:

Jer_11:3 And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,
Jer_17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

God is very serious about the words He has given us to live by.

Let’s begin.

*Psa 132:1 A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:
Psa 132:2 How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
Psa 132:3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
Psa 132:4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
Psa 132:5 Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

The Psalmist who wrote this Psalm reminded the Lord how David was devoted to Him.

We all say these things such as, “Lord remember me”.

The truth is that God only forgets when He decides to forget.

His memory is perfect!

He has forgotten our sins, and it is He that said we are covered by the blood of Jesus that has washed away our sins.

Rev_1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

We know that King David had made a vow to find a place for the Almighty God to dwell in Jerusalem.

David was determined that He was going to build a House for God for God to dwell in Jerusalem.

This was David’s vow.

David had endured much suffering at the hands of Saul.
David had endured much suffering in finding a neutral place to worship God.
David had not yet taken Jerusalem from the Jebusites so, this too had to be done.
David had to transport the “Ark of the Congregation “ to this new House of God, but it was not in his hands at this time.
David had to also defend Jerusalem from the attacks of the Philistines two times, while all these other things were going on.

These things may have hindered David in completing his vow to God, but it did not stop Him.

In fact, David said; I’m not going to rest until I build a House for the Lord.

David said it was not right that he was living in a beautiful palace and worshiping God in a tent.

We can see that David’s devotion to God provides a worthy example for us to follow.

Many missionaries today have this same vision as David, to build a house for the worship of our God.

I believe Nathan had this vision and I believe Scott David had this vision.

These were church planters as David wanted to be.

*Psa 132:6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
Psa 132:7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
Psa 132:8 Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
Psa 132:9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
Psa 132:10 For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

Though this Scripture is hard to understand, what we do know is that David found the Ark of the Covenant and moved it to Jerusalem where it would remain until 70 AD when Titus destroyed Jerusalem.

At this time nobody really knows the whereabouts of the Ark!

These people recalled the passion of David to obtain the Ark and bring it to Jerusalem where he intended to build a House for God.

The Ark had been gone so long that many people had forgotten about it.

It was David who had to remind the people:

1Ch 13:2 And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:
1Ch 13:3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.
1Ch 13:4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

The people thought the Ark was in Ephratah, but Bethlehem and Kirjath-Jearim were both known as Bethlehem at this time.

There is the city of Bethlehem but there is also the region which was called Bethlehem.

It was Bethlehem Ephratah that provided the sheep for the Temple.

Rth 4:11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Kirjath-Jearim would be the place that was in the woods!

We know that David failed the in his first attempt to retrieve the Ark, but he succeeded when He retrieved it according to the Word of God.

We will always fail if we do not do things according to the proven ways of God!

It is easy to see how this Scripture can be applied to the Lord Jesus Christ.

If King David did not have the zeal for the Lord that he had, we do not know if anyone would have remembered the Ark of God.

David challenged the people to get back to the worship of Jehovah God.

David referred to the Ark as the Lord’s footstool.

1Ch 28:2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
1Ch 28:3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

Psa 99:5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

The world knows nothing about the Holiness of God and many in the Church have also.

Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

David built a tent for the Ark of the Covenant, but he must have also built a place where the people could gather to worship though many of them and the priests still went to the Tabernacle that was in Gibeon, but did not have the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy Place.

The reality of these things is that God will sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem.

1) The Ark is not only a symbol of God’s presence, but it is also a symbol of God’s power!

2) The priests that serve the Lord will be godly servants and agents of righteousness!

3) The saints of God will be a happy people.

4) God would not reject David’s anointed successor. Solomon would be the next king, but these things also make reference to God’s truly anointed which is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today we worship together in a building set up for worship.

It is the people that are the Church.

The building or the place that we worship is just that, a building or a place.

We should never defile our bodies with the sins of the flesh.

We must obey the commands of God which say we are to separate ourselves from all unrighteousness and ungodliness.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Today, God is still searching for people like David who love to worship Him.

Joh 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

We must be wholly devoted to the Lord!

Next we will see some of the promises made to David.

*Psa 132:11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
Psa 132:12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.

There is no greater promise of the Lord Jesus Christ than this.

This verse points to the Messiah and His Kingdom!

Psa 89:3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
Psa 89:4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

Psa 89:35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

2Sa 7:28 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
2Sa 7:29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

The thing we know is true is, that a descendant of David will occupy the throne in Jerusalem.

That throne is the government, and that government will be located in Jerusalem and the Messiah will rule the world from Jerusalem.

There were some conditions to be met for each descendant of David.

We should clearly understand that our unfaithfulness cannot defeat God’s purpose and neither could those sons of David who rejected the truth of God.

We know that God will keep His oaths, and He expects us to keep ours!

It is Jehovah God who chose Jerusalem when He could have chosen anywhere.

King Jesus will rule from Jerusalem.

*Psa 132:13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
Psa 132:14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

We know that some of the descendants of David turned from God and He had to discipline them.

The Israelites would be singing this Psalm as they traveled toward Jerusalem.

We know for a time there was no son of David sitting on the throne in Jerusalem, the fulfillment of the promises had been interrupted and it will stay that way until King Jesus takes control of the governments that remain in this world from Jerusalem.

God’s promise will be fulfilled, and the world is moving toward that moment when the Messiah will return.

The promise will be fulfilled in two stages:

1) Jesus Christ returns and rules the entire earth from Jerusalem for one thousand years.

Jer 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

2) When Christ Jesus takes us to New Jerusalem and reigns from there forever and ever.

Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
Rev 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

God promises to provide abundantly for those who are now His people.

*Psa 132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
Psa 132:16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

I believe this speaks of the point when the Jews will join the Church.

God will provide any and all needs to His children.

The poor will not lack food and necessities as they had on Earth. These are material needs.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Then God will supply their Spiritual needs.

In verse nine we see that it was a prayer that asked the Lord for the priests be clothed in righteousness.

Psa 132:9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

We see in verse sixteen that God has answered that prayer.

I still believe that this is the Jews as they have now joined the Church, and all the saints will shout with joy for the Church is now complete and the Bride of Christ can join with the Bridegroom.

*Psa 132:17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
Psa 132:18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

The Lord promised to make the horn of David to sprout.

To sprout means to bud to spring forth and grow.

The “horn” is a symbol of power.

This phrase means that a powerful ruler will come forth from the line of David and this ruler will fulfill all the promises made to David.

He will be a lamp or a light to all the world!

The “lamp” and that “horn” mean the Messiah.

1) Zec 6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

2) Jer 33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

3) Isa 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Zacharias the father of John the Baptist said:

Luk 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.

Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

We know what is going on in Israel today is turbulent times for them.

We need to remember these promises of God to David, and they will be fulfilled.

As far as the Church, we need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem which will take place at the return of Jesus Christ.

We know that the conclusion of God’s plan may be nearing its end, and we will live forever in the presence of the Mighty God!

All evilness and wickedness will be gone, and we will finally be at peace on New Earth and the New Jerusalem.

Amen