David, a man of communication – 1 Chronicles 13
Everything goes through communication: for the sale of sofas, for studies, for a job, in fact everything! Woe to the timid and self-confident individualists! As far as communication is concerned, it is a very recent discovery and predates that of tyrants who authoritarianly impose their law. But, surprise, men in the Bible knew this quality of communication”; communication is not new: King David (4000 years ago) was a man of dialogue and communication. In many ways, what we experienced in David (and others) was quite revolutionary for and perhaps even in relation to today…
But David’s problem is that it is possible to be an expert in communication, but not in all areas. This episode takes place just after his election; he has just been chosen by Israel. It is a period of great tension, following the conflict with King Saul; instability is everywhere. What attitude will David have to obtain recognized authority? On what principles will he base his kingship?
Communication and consultation with the people about their project: 1 Chronicles 13v1-2.
David is the opposite of an imposing dictator. It shows from the beginning of the year. Comment? He presents his point of view first with the leaders of the people, with his board of directors, and he participates in remarks, advice; he asserts himself… by listening, by dialoguing. Do, often, in any group on the aspiration to be governed by men who know the direction, impose ourselves with firmness (even if it means, quickly, rejecting them because we cannot be crushed in this way) ; and on a difficulty in having the head of a group of people who are not likely to be of themselves Matthew 20v25-28.
The second aspect of communication at David, it is a question of address to all the people; he summons them to an AGM. Not to tell them what has been decided, he and the military and political leaders, but to ask them for this project. “If you think it is good”: = say your opinion! This is the notion of democracy well before its time.
This implied the majority of favorable votes would emerge; This is why David continued his project. He is not the only one to know the will of God, but asks the people to reflect on this subject about this project in relation to God. “All the assembly found this proposition wise and one declared that it should be followed” (1 Chronicles 13v4). This call for active reflection, for a certain discernment on a specific situation, is Paul’s invitation to the Christians of Corinth: in 1 Corinthians 11, he speaks of the sign of submission. Comment, in the culture of 1er century in Greece, this manifests itself? By wearing the veil; and Paul adds: “Judge for yourselves”; is a call for reflection, in a particular context. It does not update the principle (submission) in question, but the way of manifesting it.
In the Churches of the Acts of the Apostles, decisions are made by all Christians ; everyone has their say; no hierarchy of power. But it is very likely that it is a person (or a group) who has power (through speech, through influence over others). This is why Paul teaches that we are being subject to others (and this is a consequence of living a life led by the Holy Spirit; Eph 5v18 and 21); humility, respect and submission to others are attitudes to peace and edification. In Jesus’ teaching as restaurants, we see the importance of humility and mutual submission.
The result, after this consultation with David, is that the people adhere to the project submitted by David. And thecommitment is common thereafter: “So David gathered together all Israel, go up to make the ark of God” (v5).
David and communication with God
This story is about light and shadow.
. The light? His desire to bring back the ark of God (v3): this chest symbolized the divine presence; David must above all and above all be assured of the presence of God and put in first place. He proved that, for him, there was nothing more important than taking care of God’s business and honoring Him, even before solving serious problems in the country. David thus shows his communication with God to exercise his responsibility as king. This is a remarkable example.
By the way, how do we show that we have put God first in our life? Symbolically, perhaps being through the day talking to God? Or about the week coming to worship? It’s also so important to begin life by placing ourselves in the Lord, meaning be present with us! Perhaps also by handing over our projects to Him when they are at the beginning (and not when failure becomes inevitable…). “Rely on him in everything you do and he will show you how you should act” (Pr 3v6).
. The light seems also be the means used by David to carry out this project: to bring back the ark, he takes a brand new chariot; no low-end second-hand…, but the ultimate. We give our best for God! And we put 2 men there to ensure smooth running, 2 bodyguards; and also the king himself! Not to mention the crowd: everyone is there to underline the importance of this event the glory of God.
We do not skimp on the means used. And it’s a surge of joy for everyone! Songs rise in honor of God; David brought a whole orchestra to celebrate God. Nothing is too beautiful, according to David, to honor God. Remarkable attitude!
. BUT… the problem is that it wasn’t quite according to God. How is this manifested? By a bad maneuver of the oxen which transport the safe of the alliance: an incident of the ground bodyguard detained him and he died because he touched the ark. The reason for this is spiritual: David had not communicated with God about transporting the trunk.
However, God had communicated well, he had and had said in the law everything that needed to be done to transport this chest. Comment? On the shoulders of the Levites (those who were in the service of God), with bars, without the names (Ex 25v12-15 and Nb 4v15). In fact, David wants to do for God but without doing according to God.
Later, when he carries the chest again, David recognizes: according to the law “.
Today, as always, human beings are searching. This is a laudable approach in the eyes of men; but was it for God?
Augustine said: “Many men but there are few who are there, because it is the country outside, where there is not”. Seek God apart from his law, his word, is to miss the truth. One can even give one’s life for him, but this life is not based on parole.
This lack of communication with God on the stage of dramas
. The death of man, and the family unhappiness. We can see there solidarity in evil; like David who, through his negligence in relation to the will of God, did this work for this man and this family, the evil of the unfortunate for others. And maybe we are ourselves too
. David is deeply irritated (facing the judgment of God in the matter of the unjust); with everyone has been accomplished for God, this is how he is rewarded… do something for God, but apart from listening and observing his word.
. There fear for David suit bitterness against God. And fear of straying from him. “My God, further from you…”; it is the card of Jonah who fled before God because he accepted the word. “If God seems far away to you, guess who is far away..”
. There guilt causes David to withdraw into himself; He is ready to cut himself off from the presence of God, through the act of separating the chest of the covenant which symbolizes the presence of the Lord:” (V12). Given my mistakes, how can I accept the presence, the forgiveness of the Lord…? I am too indignant, my misery is too heavy in front of you. This is what I felt like the apostle Peter when Jesus allowed everything and it was an extraordinary sin: Is this reaction good or not? It is negative when we know ourselves, when, as a prauto-punishment, on the rest cut off from God. When we focus on ourselves, on our sin and not on the Lord who is ready to forgive, we deprive ourselves of his grace; each time after this awareness of sin and after this repentance which uses the fault, Jesus heals and recovers.
For a period, David is faced with the presence of God regarding this chest which symbolizes his presence at Obed-Edom. He chose the homologation and the lack of communication, of the relationship with God. This estrangement began with the alignment of the Word of God and his continuation by those in communion with him.
Improvisation on oneself leads to self-destruction; it is the look towards the Lord, and its corollary the listening to his Word, which is uplifting.
And yet… God blesses where he is present
David leaves the chest in the house of Obed-edom. This one should take for 3 months; he doesn’t have much choice. But here, where he is present, it is the blessing: “The Lord blessed the family of Obed-Edom” (1 Ch 13v14). David went to great lengths to be assured of God’s presence; but he does not try to communicate with him as he wants. He was seeking to do for God, and had forgotten the most important element: living subject to his parole.
May the Lord help us to take today as tomorrow as the basis for our projects, our actions.
Jean-Ruben Otge
10 Steps to Forgiving Someone Completely
Author eglise.agen
