Prayer: Father, no one likes to be humiliated. Help me learn today, that there is a cost to humiliating another person or king. Amen.
Reading: 1 Chronicles 19 key: vs. 4-5 “So Hanun took David’s emissaries and shaved them. He cut off their garments in the middle at the buttocks and sent them away. When some people came and told David about the men, he sent messengers to meet them for the men were thoroughly humiliated. The king said: “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow and then return.” TLV
Attention: Have you ever had your intentions questioned and scrutinized? Have you ever been humiliated? Have you ever humiliated someone else?
David extended his sympathies to a neighboring king who had lost his father. The king’s closest advisors misinterpreted David’s actions and advised him to humiliate David’s emissaries, by shaving their beards and cutting off the backs of their garments up to the “middle of the buttocks” and sent them home. For a Jew, the beard was not to be shaved. For those who were under the Nazarite vow, cutting the beard was against that vow. Nudity was prohibited by the Hebrew scripture (Torah) & culture. The men were totally humiliated.
I recall a practice on my high school football team of hazing the incoming sophomore players. I will not tell you what was done, but it was a horror for all sophomores, especially those who had older brothers. I was spared (divinely) but I watched in horror. The coaches knew of the traditional hazing practice and conveniently stayed out of the locker room till the seniors had their fun.
I can only imagine the trauma these emissaries of David felt. There was a cost involved. Hunan realized his actions were wrong and sent tribute to David in the form of silver, chariots, and horses. But that did not stay the hand of David, who sent his general Joab out to battle. 47,000 men died in that battle, plus a commander.
The Ammonites and Arameans suffered the consequences of humiliating God’s anointed nation and people. It was a tough lesson.
Let us treat all people with respect. May we understand that when God’s nation is humiliated or attacked, Adonai is disrespected by humiliating and or killing His people. Israel has every right to protect itself.
Action: I choose to respect the right of Israel for self-preservation.
Yield: I choose to submit to the sovereignty of Adonai and His protection of His people Israel.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in respecting God and His people Israel.
Relationship: I choose to live in a holy, anointed, obedient relationship with Adonia.
Prayer: Father, I choose to respect Your Sovereignty over all men in all nations. I choose to embrace Your covenant with Israel as Your chosen nation. I embrace Your love for the world and all men. Amen.
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 2:15-17 “For this is God’s will, that you silence the ignorance of foolish men by doing good. Live as free people, but not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil. Rather, live as God’s slaves. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” TLV
Music Video: Phillips, Craig, & Dean—You Are God Alone https://youtu.be/ZOargNFiDd4?si=aXr5c8kaKhPdZ85T
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”