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Handling God’s Presence and Word

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 20  Read: 1 Chronicles 15 Listen: (4:38)  Read: Psalms 89 Listen: (5:29)

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 15.11-15

11 Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 13 It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” 14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord.

Reflection: Handling God’s Presence and Word

By John Tillman

The first time he moved the ark, David failed.

David missed (or ignored) important instructions in God’s word. He moved the ark just like the Philistines did, on a cart. David treated the ark like a load of goods or an idol instead of the throne representing the presence of a real and living God. Chronicles clarifies David studied the proper procedure for moving the ark before his second attempt. David read the syllabus.

A good syllabus contributes to student success. However, professors, teachers, and students know that students often fail to thoroughly read syllabi.

Since I was in graduate school, syllabi have gone beyond simple instructions. Many syllabi are bloated documents of legal jargon meant to shield professors against complaints and campus politics. Students skip or skim syllabi for the same reasons we skip or skim the “Terms and Conditions” we consent to for digital services that dominate our lives.

Some professors go to extremes to promote reading their syllabi or to humiliate students who don’t. In a viral stunt, a music professor put fifty dollars in a locker. In his syllabus he included the locker’s number, combination, and instructions that the cash was free to the first student who claimed it. At the end of the semester, the cash was still there.

Does this prove students don’t read syllabi? Or does it prove syllabi are unreadable and unhelpful?

The Bible is not an unreadable syllabus and God is not a sneaky professor or a corrupt corporation trying to trick or make fools of his people. The instructions for carrying the ark showed respect for God’s presence, power, and person represented by the ark. There was no excuse for David carrying it before the people in an unworthy way. 

We have God’s Holy Spirit in our hearts. How are we handling it?

Are we carrying God’s presence before people in an unworthy way? Are we missing (or ignoring) important instructions in God’s word? Are we treating God (or the Bible) like a mascot or idol? Does our obedience respect God’s presence, power, and person? 

Moses told Israel God’s commands were not too difficult or beyond reach. (Deuteronomy 30.11-15) Moses’ encouragement is as true for us today as it was for Israel. Be a good student of God’s word, using all the tools we are blessed with today. Don’t neglect our clear instructions to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. (Micah 6.8)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me… — Psalm 101.6

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Daughters of Saul and Sons of Moses

Michal, daughter of Saul and wife of David, critiqued the celebration…The daughter of Saul despised this lowly king.

Daughters of Saul and Sons of Moses—Readers’ Choice
Read more: When Temples Fall

God would rather destroy his temple than see it continue in unrighteousness, but the psalmist’s good news is that God also restores.

When Temples Fall

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Revelry and Reverence

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 19  Read: 1 Chronicles 13-14  Listen: (4:13) Read: Psalms 88 Listen: (1:58)

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 13:7–10

7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.

9 When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

Reflection: Revelry and Reverence

By Erin Newton

What is holy revelry without appropriate reverence?

Martin Luther is said to have proclaimed, “If you are not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don’t want to go there.” I concur with the desire for eternal laughter and frivolity. Yet some prefer to keep religion serious and devout, perhaps echoing the lyrics from Sound of Music, “How do you solve a problem like Maria?,” who was (according to the song) “a clown.”

David and the Israelites were fellow “clowns” celebrating the return of the ark—with all their might. The same account in 2 Samuel 6 tells of David’s wife Michal criticizing him for “going around half-naked . . . as any vulgar fellow would!” David says his celebration was merely an expression of joy.

In both accounts of the ark’s return, the fate of Uzzah is repeated. As a quick, seemingly absent-minded, reaction he failed to show the ark and by proxy, God, the proper respect. David danced and celebrated without care of his reputation or impression. Uzzah lapsed into religious carelessness. David was chastised. Uzzah died.

The juxtaposed stories of how a person responds in this religious setting is interesting. David was much like the “will-o’-the-wisp” nun Maria, carried on by his emotions and joy. The story of him dancing is often used to encourage others to hold nothing back emotionally, to praise God with every fiber of our being. Uzzah could have benefited a little from Mother Abbess, who sought to ensure obedience.

What of churches today? Are we to follow the lead of holy revelry and let our joy go unbounded? Or do we keep our minds focused on the holiness of God, knowing that a misstep into irreverence would only anger our Lord?

As they say, everything in moderation. And perhaps everything according to our context.

So many Christians today have lost the joy of the Lord. Perhaps their reading of God’s Word has been used to define faith as a stern list of do’s and don’ts. The focus is constantly on finding the right posture before God, always with downcast eyes and quiet reflection. This type of church would benefit from some revelry before God.

While God is the source and aim of our joy, loving God isn’t just a life of fun and laughter without morals and responsibility.

The pendulum must continually swing between revelry and reverence. May we always seek to find the middle.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to you holy hill and to your dwelling;

That I may go to the altar of God, to the God of my joy and gladness; and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God. — Psalm 43.3-4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Irreverently Abusing God’s Presence

Do we abuse God’s presence?…take “the Name” in vain?…weaponize God against enemies?…treat him like a magical charm?

Irreverently Abusing God’s Presence
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What War Stories Reveal

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 18  Read: 1 Chronicles 11-12 Listen: (11:59)  Read: Psalms 86-87 Listen: (2:26)

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 11.10-11a, 15-19

10 These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised—11 this is the list of David’s mighty warriors…

15 Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 17 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord. 19 “God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.

2 Samuel 23.13-17

13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

Reflection: What War Stories Reveal

By John Tillman

JRR Tolkien’s writing is haunted by the two World Wars he witnessed. The Lord of the Rings can be enjoyed as a fantasy, but connecting it to the brutal realities Tolkien lived through yields deeper meanings. Speaking of war, through Faramir in The Two Towers, Tolkien wrote, “I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”

In 1 Chronicles 11 and 2 Samuel 23, scripture tells us many impressive “war stories” about David’s mightiest warriors. These stories are not intended to cause us to love these warriors for their glory, their arrows for swiftness, or their swords for sharpness.

The most detailed of these “war stories” makes that clear. David is homesick and thirsty in the wilderness and wishes for water from his hometown well, currently occupied by the enemy. Three warriors break the enemy’s lines to steal water from the well and bring it to David.

David seems not to have known of this mission until he was presented with the water he wished for. He does not drink it, but he does not waste it either. He treats the water as if it was the blood of a sacrifice and pours it out “to the Lord.”

These war stories tell us of the warriors’ skills but also reveal David’s value of life over glory. David realized his careless wish for comfort could have cost lives and that enjoying a luxury by risking the blood of his men would be wrong.

David made it clear that lives are too precious to be risked for trivial things. He honored their bravery but checked their recklessness. To David, the Lord, and us today, life must not lose its precious value and must not be risked or taken for trivial purposes or reasons.

What do our “war stories” reveal about our values?

In what ways do we participate in cheapening the lives of others? Do we carelessly wish for comforts or luxuries that might cost others their lives?

Do we love swords, arrows, and glory more than what those things defend? How can we honor those who risk their lives on our behalf without that honor turning to glorification of violence and death or the worship of weaponry instead of the protection and valuing of human life?

Divine Hours Prayer: Call to Prayer

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done for me. — Psalm 66.14

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: War Machines Have No Brakes

War will take you farther than you want to go, last longer than you have to give, and cost more than you can afford to lose.

War Machines Have No Brakes
Read more: Christ’s Body is Not God’s Army

Our “divisions” are not sword-wielders and stone-slingers…Let us become legendary for our role in spreading the good news of Jesus.

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Complicated Feelings When Heroes Fall,

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 17  Read: 1 Chronicles 9-10 Listen: (7:43) Read: Psalms 85 Listen: (1:25)

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 10.8-12

8 The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 They stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news among their idols and their people. 10 They put his armor in the temple of their gods and hung up his head in the temple of Dagon. 11 When all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men went and took the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones under the great tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

1 Samuel 31.8-13

8 The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and they sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people. 10 They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.

11 When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. 13 Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

Reflection: Complicated Feelings When Heroes Fall

By John Tillman

Saul’s reign was a long, slow fall from heroic heights to villainous depths.

There is a complicated mess of feelings when heroes fall. The greater their former deeds, the greater damage their fall causes. The greater your admiration, the greater your anger. The greater your love, the greater the loss. Have you watched a hero fall before? Are you seeing one fall now? Do you understand these complicated feelings? Jabesh Gilead did. And so did David.

Citizens of Jabesh Gilead were the first to see Saul’s heroism. (1 Samuel 11.1-11) He saved them from being maimed at his heroic beginning. They saved his maimed body from further humiliation after his villainous end. They did not excuse his sins or rewrite history. They simply remembered who he was before the fall. David, one of Saul’s main victims, thanked them for doing Saul this honor.

I have watched heroes and friends fall. Some fell fast, following shocking revelations. Affairs, crimes, abuse, or corruption suddenly came to light, bringing well-deserved consequences. Some were shunned, never to serve in their roles again. (This is justice, not persecution.) Sadly, some still wield influence today despite little evidence of repentance.

Some fell slowly—incrementally corrupted by wealth, power, prejudice, worldly philosophy, racial bias, political movements, or charismatic false messiahs. They lost their first loves and wedded themselves to movements. Their hearts were infected and hardened by wicked motives of greed, glory, or power. They feared one side’s slippery slope, but instead of holding the ground of truth, they fled the opposite direction, sliding down into the opposite side’s errors.

Whether a hero’s light slowly wanes or is suddenly snuffed out, we still remember and mourn the light’s absence. Be wise and careful when recalling good things from a fallen hero’s past. Beware nostalgia—it can fuel self-deception. A nostalgic heart rewrites history, minimizing and defending past sins, crimes, or damages.

When a hero falls, whether slowly or suddenly, don’t allow yourself to soften the truth with nostalgic lies. Face the truth. Feel the pain of their sins. Acknowledge the damage they caused. Face both realities—the good and the bad. Hate what is evil but cling to what is good. Don’t defend what is evil with what was good. Most of all, humble yourself and remember that if they fell, so could you.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Love the Lord, all you who worship him; the Lord protects the faithful, but repays to the full those who act haughtily.

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. — Psalm 31.23-24


– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

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Someone you love right now might be on a villain’s path. Hope is good. Naiveté is not…be ready to stand in their way

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Read more: Confront the Spirit of Cruelty

One key to spotting injustice is the spirit of cruelty…Where cruelty rules, justice is absent and peace is impossible.

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Captive Kings

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 14   Read: 1 Chronicles 3-4 Listen: (8:52) Read: Psalms 80 Listen: (1:58)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Nov 15   Read: 1 Chronicles 5-6 Listen:(12:23) Read: Psalms 81-82 Listen: (2:36)
Nov 16   Read: 1 Chronicles 7-8 Listen: (9:04)Read: Psalms 83-84 Listen: (3:20)

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 3.17a

17 The descendants of Jehoiachin the captive…

Reflection: Captive Kings

By John Tillman

The Chronicler’s opening genealogy calls Jehoiachin “the captive.”

This appellation could apply to most of Judah’s last, wicked kings. After the reformer, Josiah, the final kings were a chaotic string of failures who ended up in captivity to different empires.

Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz, took three months to undo decades of faithfulness following his father’s revival. Pharoah took him to Egypt in chains, and he died there. (2 Kings 23.31-33; 2 Chronicles 36.1-4)

Jehoiakim reigned longer, eleven years, but did no better. Nebuchadnezzar took him to Babylon in chains, and he died there. (2 Kings 23.36-37; 24.1-2; 2 Chronicles 36.5-7)

Jehoiachin, like Jehoahaz, reigned only three months before being brought as a captive to Babylon. (2 Kings 24.8; 2 Chronicles 36.9)

Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, was the final king of Judah, reigning eleven years before being captured, having his sons killed in front of him, and then being blinded. (2 Kings 25.1-7; 2 Chronicles 36.11-13)

The Chronicler zeroes in on Jehoiachin in his simplified genealogy. Jehoiachin’s fate and future were different from the other captive kings.

Rabbinical tradition assumes Jehoiachin repented in captivity. After decades in prison, a Babylonian king released the captive, seated him at his table, and provided him financial support. (2 Kings 25.27-30) Jeremiah cursed Jehoiachin to be childless, (Jeremiah 22.24) yet God lifted this curse. (Haggai 2.20-25) Not only did he have children, it was through this captive king that Matthew traced the genealogy of Jesus. (Matthew 1.1-17)

These kings were captive to sin long before they became captive to empires. They became captives because they sought freedom apart from godly repentance and righteousness. They rebelled to throw off the punishment God placed them under.

Sin brings inward spiritual captivity, (John 8.34; Romans 6.5-7) but consequences of sin often lead to outward forms of captivity, whether personal or legal. The same is true for us today. The same is true for our leaders, whether familial, religious, cultural, or political. 

But there is good news for us captives. (Luke 4.17-21) From this line of captive kings, comes one who sets captives free. From this line of crooked judges, comes one righteous ruler. From this line of cursed national rebels, comes the servant who blesses all nations. From this lost line of craven sinners doomed to death, comes one who conquers sin, disarms death, and restores the lost.

Cursed, captive kings can break their curse, be restored, and bless the world. We, and our communities, need that same curse lifted and we are commanded to let that same blessing flow. 

The gospel frees us to free others and blesses us to bless others. Let freedom and blessing ring.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy Name and glory in your praise. — Psalm 106.47

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Restoration Begins

Through Jehoiachin, the king raised from prison to the side of Babylon’s king, comes Jesus, the king who was raised from death to the side of Heaven’s king.

Restoration Begins
Read more: Anger, Exile, and Mercy

Even in exile, we do not need to despair but to repent, be restored, and be a blessing where God sends us.

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