Nahash who reminds us of our dark pasts..

We all have some dark pasts in our life. No one is perfect in this world. We all make mistakes. Sometimes these mistakes may cost us nothing and other times it may cost us costly. When it costs us dearly, we tend to remember it all the time. We wish that we could have changed our past. Ultimately all bad things that happen to us, we tend to think it’s because of that mistake. But there is some happy news to all those who believe in Christ.

But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”  1 Samuel 11:2

These are the words of Nahash the King of Ammonites to the elders of Jabesh Gilead. Nahash besieged the city of Jabesh Gilead but the elders of that city, requested him for a treaty. They were ready to surrender. But this King Nahash wanted more than just surrender. He wanted to bring disgrace to the house of Israel.

Nahash word means ‘Serpent’ in Hebrew. If we look at serpents in the bible. We see that serpents reminds us of some dark pasts. It deceived Eve by reminding and manipulating the words of God, ‘Did God really say.’ Also, when a viper fastened itself on the hand of Paul. People of Malta thought the viper bit him because of his past sins. Hence, Serpents are said to remind us of something dark and they lead us to  pitfall. Here, also King Nahash has come to remind the people of Jabesh Gilead of their past sin.

Then they asked, “Which one of the tribes of Israel failed to assemble before the Lord at Mizpah?” They discovered that no-one from Jabesh Gilead had come for the assembly.  Judges 21:8

When Benjamites did an awful crime. Israelites united as one man against the tribe of Benjamites. Israelites assembled at Mizpah and took an oath that no one would give their daughters in marriage to a Benjamite. But when they annihilated the Benjamites, leaving only six hundred men. Men of Israelites wept bitterly, for one tribe of Israel was cut down. Hence, to provide these six hundred men with wives, Israelites looked for the tribe or clan who did not come for the oath. They discovered that no one from Jabesh Gilead had come. Maybe they did not consider that meeting important or they did not want to indulge in the welfare of Israelites. Anyway, Israelites put the city of Jabesh Gilead to sword leaving only four- hundred women.

The people of Gilead from that point on, faced loneliness. They thought that all that happened to them, they deserved it. Israelites stopped interacting with them. That is why they did not instigate war against Nahash as soon as they heard about the fate of Jabesh. Hence, people of Jabesh had to wait, to know whether any rescuer would arrive for them.

In our lives as well some mistakes, some blunders might lead some of our close people out of our sight. They get offended and stop talking to us. Some people hold grudge against us all their life for that fault.

He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they turned out as one man. 1 Samuel 11:7

But the people of Jabesh Gilead got a rescuer in a person called Saul. He united Israelites as one man and went against Nahash King of Ammonites. We too may dwell in our past. We think all that happen to us, is because of what we did. But the great news is, like Saul we have a rescuer in Jesus Christ. The people were killed and were annihilated because of the mistake they did. In the same way, Jesus Christ suffered because of our sins. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. 1 Peter 3:18

Jesus died for us so when a Nahash comes to gouge our eyes, or when he comes simply with a mission to bring disgrace in our lives. We may point out to our enemy and show him who our rescuer is. We should not dwell in our past for we are called to dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. Also, as a believer one should remember to forgive our brethren. Unlike the Israelites who were reluctant to rescue the people of Jabesh, we should always stretch out our hands to the people in need. Even if they did hurt us before. For who knows, they might have faced the consequences and got the forgiveness of God. Who are we to hold grudge against someone who received the forgiveness of God. No Nahash can come and claim his power in the Quiver of God.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts of this blog

Cut down, to be Grafted.

Image
When your words came, I ate them: they were my joy and my heart's delight, O Lord GOD Almighty.  I never sat in the company of revellers never made merry with them;I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation. Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? Will you be to me like a deceptive Brook like a spring that fails? Jeremiah 15:16-18 We all know how joyful it is to recieve the word from GOD. When promise comes people leave their household like Abraham, they completely forget everything and follow the promisekeeper. But to reach the fulfillment of promise people go through many difficulties. They are cut down completely, and are alone with only promise in their hand. Jacob recieves the promise or blessing from Isaac and from that time onwards he was alone,  alone in Bethel, alone in Laban's house, alone when his wives fought over. Joseph saw dreams and got so excited that he started to tell his brothers resulting in an exclu...
Read more

Who do people say I am?

Image
  Does it matter to us what others think about us? If we were to listen to every others perspective about us, then perhaps no one can live on this planet. Generally, people say never get bothered about what others think and say about you. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”     Mathew 16:13,14 In this passage, it seems that Jesus wants to know what others thought about him. Not that it mattered to him but He just wanted an opinion from his disciples about what others thought about him. Jesus always knew what others thought about him. There were many serious accusations against him. He was called rabbi by some people, whereas some people said he was possessed by Beelzebub. Some said he was just a carpenter’s son. These things never bothered Jesus or his ministry. But now,...
Read more

One GOD, Who plays many roles for us..[Part 2]

Image
Almighty GOD, who reveals himself in different roles, in different situation,for different purpose. He plays his part perfectly, be it as a friend for Abraham or a father to Jacob. He is perfect.  GOD wanted to play the role of a king in the lives of Israel. Hence, only judges were appointed but they wanted a Human king who can Lord over them and show  other countries that they too have a king. But what they didn't know was that GOD will play the role even if they don't accept it. Hence, When Son of GOD died on the cross a written charge was placed saying 'THE KING OF THE JEWS' , a king (a leader) taking all the sins of his people on his own head and taking the punishment. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1.                                       ...
Read more

Are you zealous for God..

Image
The zeal towards God defines our relationship with God. People who are zealous for God mostly have a good relationship with the Almighty. Greater the anointing of God greater will be the zeal for God. If one loses the anointing, he will eventually lose his zeal. The zeal that comes under pressure. Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6   When Philistines tried to defeat Israel, they came with a plan to stop the production of weapons in the land of Israel. Somehow, they brought all the blacksmiths of Israel to Philistine. Only two swords were found in Israel. One was with King Saul and the other was with Prince Jonathan. For many days Philistine threatened Israel and brave soldiers went into hiding. They hid themselves in caves and holes of mountains. Jonathan got frustrated by the da...
Read more

Five Senses of a Christian man- Ears hear..

Image
Humans do have five senses with which they try to rule this world. These five senses help them to understand nature and their surrounding and they react accordingly. In our Christian life, these senses can help us to stay closer to God or can drive us away from God.  'Hearing' is one of the senses with which we percieve our surrounding. Most of us would prefer calmer places and would hope to find rest for our ears, or soothing voices that can revive our ears from all the disturbance and  noises we heard in our entire life. This is what happens to a Christian man,  he likes to hear God's voice but the noises that the demon creates confuses him. Ultimately he closes his ears and in his closed ears he hears the noises that the devil created, and he chooses that.  Eve used all five senses to sin. She heard the Serpent, saw the fruit, touched it, must have smelled it, and ultimately  tasted it. Notable  point here is that hearing can lead us to sin, and can infl...
Read more

Standing on the promise of GOD

Image
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.                                                Hebrews 10:23 Promises of GOD keeps us motivated to move forward in Christ. A promise that was made by JESUS two thousand years ago that he will return keeps us motivated and we are waiting on him eagerly. A promise can change life. GOD saw Abraham and said leave your household and promised him to make him into great nations (Genesis 12:1,2).JESUS saw Peter and said 'Follow me , I will make you fishers of men.' (Mathew 4:19) and Ta...Da...Peter's life changed . Everytime GOD promised , people 's life changed or put it this way his promises are meant to change people.  Promises are meant to be kept not to be broken. Promise is directly proportional to the faith in the person who promised. If you have faith on a person it means you know he...
Read more

When Christ is born..

Image
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.                          Isaiah 9:6 It is true that Jesus Christ, Son of God was born into this world and died for our sins. He redeemed us by his blood. But all this sacrifices go in vain if Christ is not born in our heart. Jesus Christ was born to virgin Mary. Jesus was placed in a manger,because there was no room for them in the inn. Likewise when Jesus is born in a man's life. Man gives Him no room to stay (Jesus).Even if they give Him a place He will be placed in the corner of their heart (manger). He wants to be born in the hearts of the people, but very few of them open their hearts for him. 'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.Revelatio...
Read more