The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Chronicles 25:1,
"David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals."
This morning I note the proximity of the military with prophetic activity. The commanders of the army joined with David in setting apart priests for the ministry of prophecy accompanied by music.
In Israel there was to be a tie between the actions of the nation, particularly those of a military nature, with seeking the Lord's guidance. This required an active ministry of prophecy. You will recall the trouble David brought upon the nation by doing a headcount of his fighting men, expressing his confidence in manpower rather than in the Lord himself, see chapter 21. Trouble in military matters occurred at the neglect of seeking the Lord's guidance.
Years later Azariah pointed out to Judah's King Asa, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress." 2 Chronicles 15:2-6.
"David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals."
This morning I note the proximity of the military with prophetic activity. The commanders of the army joined with David in setting apart priests for the ministry of prophecy accompanied by music.
In Israel there was to be a tie between the actions of the nation, particularly those of a military nature, with seeking the Lord's guidance. This required an active ministry of prophecy. You will recall the trouble David brought upon the nation by doing a headcount of his fighting men, expressing his confidence in manpower rather than in the Lord himself, see chapter 21. Trouble in military matters occurred at the neglect of seeking the Lord's guidance.
Years later Azariah pointed out to Judah's King Asa, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress." 2 Chronicles 15:2-6.
Azariah's words make very clear the important tie between the military and the prophets, were they to seek success!
How might that be approached in our nation today?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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