Heralds Digest

  “So the king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, “Now go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know the number of the people.”” ‭‭II Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ While the importance of census for national planning of resources, infrastructural development, and services to citizens is non-negotiable, everyone knew that the intention of king David for the first national census in Israel was strictly influenced by his pride, self-reliance, and self-glory. Unfortunately, after he fell into the temptation, he then realized his folly and forgetfulness that the Lord that delivered the Philistines and Goliath into his hands with just a sling and stones doesn’t need the census of human prowess to win the battles of life for His children. And as the children of God face the challenges and the projects of life, in comparison with the necessary implementation strategies, including the accumulation of human intelligence,...

  “For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” ‭‭II Samuel‬ ‭22‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The final victory of king David over all his lifetime enemies will always be an inspiration to those who understand that life project is nothing short of a battlefield. While it is generally acceptable that only an unintelligent person will attempt to engage in a life project on a solo run, the challenges of trust and dependability with the option of team running are enormous. Although David’s life project was significantly blessed with several teams of loyal captains, he was able to single out God as his dependable defender. At all seasons of life, from when we are able to successfully run against the invading troops to when we unfortunately stumble and fall, it is only God that can be leaned upon for protection, provision, preservation, and purification, without perse...

  “And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.’ ” So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants!”” II  Samuel‬ ‭19‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Walls are necessary only for providing the divisions and protection of precious possessions from invasion. But in a supposed cordial relationship, walls come in the form of offenses or disappointment; and they hinder progress and breakthrough in every project plan. For example, in the ways of king David’s return to Jerusalem, after the divinely orchestrated victory over the insurrection of Absalom, are walls created by the actions of his tribe of Judah in support of Absalom and against him. Even after the war was conquered, the wild wall was visible to king David. Therefore, David used forgiveness to break the wild wall; a...

  “But the man said to Joab, “Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!’ Otherwise I would have dealt falsely against my own life. For there is nothing hidden from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me.”” II Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Today, business relationships without clearly documented disclosure deals are simply dead on arrival. Whereas, in the days of king David, words of command to his commanders were taken as sufficient business deal, saying, “ Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom ”. And the charge was respected by the foot soldiers until the commander Joab intervened with his personal disrespect to the deal. Notwithstanding, it was commendable that someone could uphold the integrity of keeping the decency of a disclosure deal, against per...

  “So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom. Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father’s tomb.” II Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭14‬, ‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The story of Ahithophel establishes the caution with the pursuit of physical and material breakthroughs in life. When the scriptures confirmed that “ Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God ”, it became clear that Ahithophel was professionally successful and a celebrated counsellor. But at this point in his career, the purpose of Ahithophel ran against the Will of God. While he wanted David down to estab...

  “Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place.” II Samuel‬ ‭15‬:‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ When Absaloam’s challenge escalated from revenge to revolt, king David knew that the remote cause was that he had lost favour in the sight of God. And in finding favour, he has to learn again how to (1) fall down on his face in faith, (2) appreciate the company of associates and adversaries without losing attention, (3) vow to uphold virtue in people without vengeance, (4) obey the ordinances of the Lord with no offense, (5) understand the unchanging value of uprightness, and (6) repent fully and return to the Lord alone, despite His retribution. Therefore, David told the priest Zadok to refrain from the subtle art of crying foul, whenever a disobedient disciple falls out of God’s favour. Unfortunately, disfavoured disciples in contemporary times would prefer to continue wit...

  “To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my Lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth” (II Samuel‬ ‭14‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) There is no doubt about the effectiveness of disagreement among people and parties towards the destruction of good course in life. Also, it is proven that the use of wise word has limited application in bringing about the expected change in a deplorable state of family, work, and social affairs. But we can all learn from the superiority of wise way, as deplored by Joab and the hired widow, towards effecting a change of affairs in the administration of king David. The simple principle is that the presentation of the truth or ‘wise word’ by the woman was made in a piecemeal way and by the king’s specific request. Joab knew the troubled mind of king concerning the state of Absaloam...