R³ Devotional - Day 135

These chapters of 2 Samuel are difficult to read. The focus will be on 2 Samuel 15. There is a commentary that explains some extremely interesting parallels between Jesus and David. Although I know we are supposed to write the devotional, it just can’t be written & explained better than this Verse by Verse Ministries, International study.
We all know that David is used in Scripture as a picture of Christ, and this scene is one of the most powerful comparisons. David’s flight from the city is a picture of Jesus’ departure from Jerusalem and from Israel after His first coming.

Real Life Principles:
First, let’s remember how Jesus’ first coming to Israel ended. After Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem during the last week of His life, he was first received by crowds declaring Him to be king. Hosanna in the Highest, they declared as Jesus entered the city on a donkey. But before the week was over, Jesus was rejected by Israel as Messiah and they were calling for Him to be crucified. Ultimately, Jesus was led outside the city and crucified for the sins of the world. Three days later Jesus resurrects and spends times with His disciples before ascending to the right hand of the Father.

This story of David’s flight from Jerusalem establishes a picture of Jesus’ first coming, at least in the broad strokes. First, we know David was welcomed into the city by Israel and declared to be their king. He was received in joy on one day, but now in a later day the people have turned against him. And so he must leave the city and his throne as an enemy of the Jewish people. He is still the rightful king, but he must leave the seat of his power because the people will not have him.

This is also Jesus’ situation at the end of His first coming, rejected by Israel and prevented from ascending the throne and ruling. Jesus died and resurrected as part of the plan of redemption, but even still He didn’t stay in the city and reign. He left to await a future day when all Israel will receive Him as king, and then He will reign over them. Notice the first parallel between how David exits Jerusalem and how Jesus exited the city in His day.

David leaves eastward going through the Kidron Valley and up the Mount of Olives. Similarly, this is how Jesus leaves the city for the last time. Jesus leaves Jerusalem with His disciples and goes out eastward to the Mount of Olives and ascends to Heaven from there. Then consider who supports David…apart from a few Jewish allies, David’s following is largely Gentiles. Chief among them was a man of Gath who pledged, as the Lord lives, he would devote his life to following David and doing as he commanded. And likewise, in the years after Jesus left Jerusalem, His following became largely Gentile apart from a few Jews. And those Gentiles also declare that as our Lord lives, we devote our lives to following Him anywhere and doing as He commands.

And as David left, the priests thought they should follow and bring the ark with them as well. But David said his departure didn’t mean that God’s presence would be removed from the city of Israel. And in fact, the priesthood and the mercy seat of the Lord would remain behind even though God required that the king leave. Likewise, as Jesus (our King and High Priest) departed earth, He commanded that the priesthood and the mercy of God remain behind

The priesthood of the believer remains on earth, as we all serve as intercessors reconciling humanity with God. And we possess the Gospel, the proclamation of God’s mercy and forgiveness to every person who comes to Him in faith. Jesus has gone away for a time because God the Father required it, but the presence of God remains behind in the Church. Lastly, David saw opportunity to direct the affairs of his city in his absence by sending a hidden messenger to the city to serve his purposes.

That messenger would work with the priests and their “sons” to do the king’s business and prepare for the king’s return to power. And likewise, we have been given a hidden Messenger, the Holy Spirit, Who works with the priests of God to serve the King .We receive word and direction from the King by way of the Spirit and we send our requests back to the King praying in the Spirit

Relevant Life Application:

• This picture is just beginning. But already we can stand back in awe of how God writes history in a way that tells a larger story.This reality gives added meaning to what David was facing in that day
  
  
• David may have acted foolishly at times in raising his family and attending to his sons, and now he is receiving the consequences. But seeing how God uses the whole scene to paint a picture of the plan of redemption shows us how powerful God is. You know God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, but appreciate what that means It doesn’t just mean He can fix your messes or that He can use your mess to yield benefits later in your life. That’s true, but it’s not the half of it. God is so powerful and wise that He can design your messes so that they fulfill the plan of God and even so they can glorify Christ
  
  
• David’s conflict with His sons was a giant mess, but in the midst of that pain and turmoil, God was using David to proclaim Christ
  
  

Ready Action Steps:

• What story of glory is God proclaiming through your messes?
  
  
• You may not know that answer yet, but you know He can do it, and if so, then we need to play our part well
  
  
• We need to praise Him during trials, worship Him for our setbacks, and pray to Him in all circumstances so that we remain in His will
  
  
• See opportunity in difficulty, learn the lessons, and trust the Lord in everything
  
  
• Because God is using everything to His glory and for our good