Seeds For Thinking

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Scripture: So it was, when the Philistine arose and came, and drew near to meet David, that David hurried, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag, and took out a stone, and he slung it, and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell on his face to the earth. (1 Samuel 17:48-49, NKJV

Most boys seem to have a penchant for throwing things, and I was no exception. There is plenty of space to engage in that activity on a farm, and a ready supply of things to throw. The challenge is to increase the distance the missile can be hurled. I found that a scrap piece of metal from a roofing project was just what I needed. It was available, required no labor or cost, and it worked!
One type of sheet metal roofing, called channel drain, has ridges shaped like a broad letter ‘M.’ I discovered that a small stone placed in the groove, or channel, could be thrown quite a distance with a two-foot length of leverage. With a little bit of practice, I was fairly accurate with it, as well. I even had a name for it - “vulpatupa.” Sounded neat to me, and, no, I never got into trouble with it. It was a nice diversion activity from the routine of farm chores.
Reading the passage about David’s conquest of the Philistine, Goliath, reminded me of my throwing device. From what I have read on the subject, David probably had the better weapon, which he used with great effectiveness. Note that this was a sling, and not a “sling shot” of modern lore - the ‘Y’ shaped stick with a rubber band for propelling the stone. The sling could be made easily by even a shepherd boy, with twisted wool for the cord, and a patch of leather to hold the stone. One end was held firmly, or attached to the wrist, and the other end gripped by the fingers. The sling was whirled, one end let loose at the appropriate moment, thus allowing stones to be thrown several times farther than they could be by hand.
“So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine, and killed him." (1 Samuel 17:50)
It should be noted that David credited the LORD for the victory; for “the battle is the LORD’s.” (Read 1 Samuel 17:40 47)
Though shepherds made use of the sling, they were not alone in choosing such as a weapon. In the Bible "slingers" were part of the Israelite army like the archers. We read in Judges 20:16, “Among all this people there were seven hundred select men who were lefthanded; every one could sling a stone at a hair’s breadth, and not miss.” (See also Second Kings 3:25, First Chronicles 12:2, and Second Chronicles 26:14 to further illustrate Israelite use.)
Other throwing devices used for hunting or weaponry include a hollow tube for throwing projectiles (much like my vulpatupa), the atlatl, or spear thrower that also uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart throwing, and the woomera, an Australian Aboriginal spear-throwing device used for when there is a greater distance to be overcome. The sling or spear thrower has an advantage over spears, javelins, or the Bolas used by the South American gauchos, in that the throwing device remains in the hand, and can be quickly reloaded.
Keep in mind David’s statement that “the battle is the LORD’s;” Let Him be the extension of our power to overcome evil and sin, and accept His loving grace for salvation.
September 12, 2010

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Scripture: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22, NKJV)

A competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest is often referred to as an underdog, at least in our English vernacular. The saying apparently originated in the late 19th century with reference to the beaten dog in a dogfight.
Still, there is a certain satisfaction in witnessing the overlord getting their comeuppance, or suffering a downfall.
The long shot, dark horse, weaker one, little guy coming out on top. Especially if we identify with the downtrodden, the victim, the loser, the fall guy, the person who has little status in society, we want to see the underdog win.
Yesterday's underdog is today's champion!
Think David against Goliath; The host of Midianites and Amalekites, numerous as locusts, routed by Gideon and three-hundred men; Joshua destroying the city of Jericho with the blast of trumpets - and the walls came tumbling down!
The underdog often has abilities that are not recognized by the multitudes, while the top dog, the champion, is a proven winner. Goliath was such a champion for the Philistines, outclassing other men in stature, strength and weaponry. A boy, a shepherd lad, found a vital spot in Goliath’s armor. Arrayed in armor, going toe to toe with sword and shield, the outcome may have been different, but David had faced down lions armed with only his sling and stones. His skills and equipment were sufficient to the task.
Skilled leadership is often a critical factor in a winning effort. The coach, the trainer, the ‘spotter’ following the action makes the difference in many sporting events. These Biblical examples could be said to have had such leadership, Out Of This World leadership, in fact.
The Lord may or may not be aligned with the typical underdog, but David, Gideon, and Joshua were following the strategies from on High. The fact that each was more than overwhelmed by the opposition gave credence to the power of God.
The Bible doesn’t use our phrase “underdog.” Little good was ever said about dogs in their society. But a cornerstone has important and positive connotations in ancient and modern times. A cornerstone forms the base of a corner of a building, joining two walls; a stone ceremonially laid usually at the corner of a foundation to mark the occasion of a building being erected; an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based. It may be called the keystone, mainspring, mainstay, linchpin, bedrock, base, backbone, key, centerpiece, core, heart, center, crux.
Essential; important. Hardly an underdog. But the stone that the builders rejected, now that resembles the underdog. The looser, having little status in the pile of building stones.
Jesus, the Christ, has been compared to such a stone, a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. The stone which the builders rejected. He is the “chief cornerstone; elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” ( 1 Peter 2:6b, NKJV)
Christ is a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God, and precious. Peter writes, “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient . . . “They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they were also appointed.”
(vs. 7a; 8b)
To become a champion, the Top Dog, the competitor must lay aside all bad habits and actions, and concentrate on that which brings perfection. Note that practice does not make perfect; practice makes permanent! So be certain that what you practice is perfect. As Peter wrote, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 1-2)

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* The Foolish One
* Scripture: Abigail said, "For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him!"
1 Samuel 25:25, NKJV

Chip on the shoulder, and very lightly balanced! Wouldn't take much to knock it off, or set off the wearer, for that matter. Some people are like that - primed to explode, and a short fuse to boot. Perpetually angry at the world and all within it.
Now I'm not sure that this description fits Nabal the Carmelite, but from the account in the book of 1 Samuel, he certainly lives up to his name, which means "Fool." (1 Samuel Ch. 25)
He was blessed with riches; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. His wife, Abigail, is noted as being a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance. Nabal was harsh and evil in his doings. Quite a contrast!
David and his band of men had been hiding in the wilderness of Maon and the strongholds of En Gedi. King Saul pursued David relentlessly, seeking to take his life. Saul unknowingly entered a cave in which David was hiding, yet David restrained his servants from harming the king. The opportunity was there; the sword was in David's hand, but he used it only to cut off the corner of Saul's robe.
After Saul had exited the cave, David made his presence known, and displayed the piece of cloth from the robe as evidence that his hand was not against the king.
Saul lifted up his voice and wept (24:16b)
Of such was the character of David. But Saul was not the only one he protected. David and his men provided security for the shepherds foraging their flocks in the wilderness, even the flocks and shepherds of Nabal.
David sent ten young men to Nabal, seeking presents for their protective services, coming in peace to "him who lives in prosperity." Nabal not only refused to pay from his largess, but also insulted David and the messengers. He has repaid David "evil for good.: (Vs. 21)
David set out to redress Nabal's foolish insult with four-hundred armed men. Caught between their scoundrel of a master and a revenging army, the servants alert Abigail to the coming danger.
Taking matters into her own hand, Abigail went out to meet David with food and wine. Apologizing for her husband, "The Foolish One", she convinces David to refrain from bloodshed.
Later, when Nabal had sobered up from the wine of the feast enough to understand what he had done, he suffered a stroke, and died ten days later.

"Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul." Proverbs 22:24, 25, NKJV
February 5, 2006

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* Comparisons
* Scripture: Jesus said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”, Mt. 17:20b, NKJV - See also Lk. 17:6)

Hot pursuit! I’ve seen it often, yet each time I’m intrigued by the fervor with which they carry out their mission. It would seem to be an unequal contest, reminding me of David and Goliath, yet an obvious size differential doesn’t seem to be a factor. My bird reference guide gives a typical length of eight and one-half inches for the blackbirds to the crow’s seventeen inches.
To put that into perspective, assuming that he didn’t go swat and you go splat, how far down the street would you chase a guy who measured in at eleven or twelve feet tall? Yet these little feather-weights buzz the much larger bird like fighter planes after a big bomber until the intruder is well beyond their territory. Protective, yes indeed!
As I ponder the scenario taking place over my head, I wonder if I am more blackbird or more crow. Certainly I can admire the zeal with which the smaller birds defend their territory, even though the odds are heavily stacked against them. Would that I could defend my beliefs and my faith with such fervor. I am reminded of the many times that a problem seems just too large and daunting to even start resolving it.
Then again, can the smaller birds really do much harm to the crow? I don’t know for sure, but I seldom see falling feathers, or the crow battling back. So let’s just say that the crow perceives it as more of an annoyance than a life shattering event. So maybe there are times that we should just put more things into perspective, and not make what are truly annoyances into life shattering events, and play the part of the crow to their “blackbirds.”
I got to thinking about how many times we turn it around the other way - small problems send us packing. Little things get to us, irritate and annoy us. We make molehills into mountains. Little problems seem to be big problems, and we get squeezed in the middle. Ever feel like that?
Now that’s what Jesus was talking about. Why would anyone want to drown mountains? (Mt. 21:21) He is really making a size comparison. Big, big problem, big as a mountain? Suppose you say, “Just look at that mountain sized thing that I am facing, and I feel as small as a mustard seed in comparison.” Then think, “Big doesn’t matter, to a mustard seed, a blackbird - or me!”
Little things flitting around till you feel like the crow? Just say, “Hey! They can annoy me, but they can’t put me down.”
“Mountain, go jump in the lake.”
June 12, 2005

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Scripture: In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. (Luke 1:5, NIV)

Mention the word “nativity” and most people will likely think of the Nativity of Jesus, the Christ Child. Actually, the word ‘nativity’ with a lower case ‘n’ is the occasion of a person’s birth - yours, mine, anyone’s. The first nativity mentioned in the gospel of Luke is that of Jesus’ relative and Forerunner, John, the Baptizer.
John was born into a priestly family, desendents of Aaron, the first priest. Both parents were “upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. “ (Luke 1:6-7)
The scriptural recounting by Luke tells of the angel Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah while he was serving in the temple, the subsequent conception by Elizabeth, and the birth of John, one who would bear witness to The Light (The Christ) as the “voice of one crying in the wilderness.” (John 1:23)
It is easy to skip over one little detail mentioned in the scriptural text, that of the role of the priestly division of Abijah. It is one bit of knowledge that can add detail to the story of Zechariah’s service to the Lord.
1 Chronicles chapter 23 recounts a gathering of all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and Levites, at the time King David was turning the kingdom over to his son, Solomon. The Levites were to look after the work of the house of the LORD., as officers, judges, gatekeepers and musicians. They were desendents of Levi, but not of Aaron.
Chapter 24 recounts the divisions of the sons of Aaron. David knew that because there were so many descendents of Aaron by this time, the priests should be divided so they could fairly be assigned the privileged service of the temple. They were divided by lot into twenty-four divisions; Abijah was the eighth priestly division. Like the other divisions, the priests of Abijah served in the temple for one week twice a year.
Duties for the day were assigned by drawing lots, the first two including such duties as cleaning the altar and preparing its fires, offering the sacrifice and cleansing the candlestick and the altar of incense. Many rituals were observed throughout the service, including prayer.
After this a third lot was cast for burning the incense. To be so selected for this service was a great honor; No one might take part in it who had ministered in that office before. The officiating priest entered the Holy Place with assistants, who helped prepare the alter of incense, then left the chief officiating priest alone within the Holy Place, to await the signal of the president before burning the incense. It was probably at this time that the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah.
The people marveled that Zechariah took so long in the temple. If it had been the duty of Zechariah, as incensing priest for the day, to lead in the priestly blessing, we can all the better understand the wonder of the people as 'he beckoned to them, and remained speechless' (Luke 1:21-22) while they waited for his benediction.
The priests themselves lived not only in Jerusalem but also in other settlements in the land of Israel. When it was time for the division to go up to Jerusalem, the priests left their homes, went up to Jerusalem for a week, and afterwards returned to their homes in Judea or Galilee.
Luke notes that Elizabeth was related to Mary, the mother of Jesus (Lk. 1:36). The two nativity stories further intertwine when Mary visits Elizabeth. The babe (John) leaped in Elizabeth’s womb for joy upon hearing Mary’s greeting. (Luke 1:41) Mary spent three months with her at this very special time in their lives.

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