Isaiah 64:4

—  "From of old no one has heard or given ear, Nor has any eye seen a God except you, Who acts in behalf of those who keep in expectation of him."

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1 Corinthians 2:9 —  But just as it is written: “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, nor have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”

You can show the proper attitude of expectation, demonstrating by what you do that you are confident that “the day of Jehovah’s anger” will come exactly on time. Your being convinced of that and matching your conviction with fitting actions are in harmony with something Jesus said. He urged the apostles and all anointed Christians: “Let your loins be girded and your lamps be burning, and you yourselves be like men waiting for their master . . . Happy are those slaves whom the master on arriving finds watching! Truly I say to you, He will gird himself and make them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them.” (Luke 12:35-37) Yes, a proper waiting attitude shows confidence that Jehovah’s great day will come not a moment later than he has purposed.

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Complied by David B Feb27-2023

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A time to laugh

 Laughter is divine medicine
Written by William Wright

Originally Posted , June 10, 2015

In a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased memory and learning, resulting in higher test scores.

Studies have shown that, among other things, laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces the frequency of colds, helps the pituitary gland release its own pain-suppressing opiates, reduces stress, improves creativity and burns calories.

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1 Chron 20-22

"At the start of the year...."

It's spring, and the siege of Rabbah is underway. 

Rabbah is the capital city of Ammon, and the importance of this siege can be judged from the fact that the Ark has accompanied the army of Israel. (2 Sam 11:11).

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But where is the king?

He has stayed in Jerusalem, leaving the attack to Joab. (1).

Although not mentioned here in Chronicles, we know that these circumstances led to David's grievous sin :

He saw Bathsheba from his rooftop, wanted this beautiful woman for himself, took her, and caused the death of her husband Uriah to cover up his crime when she fell pregnant. 

 

Meanwhile, at Rabbah Joab was having great success, and thinking his sin had been entirely concealed, David came to Rabbah to complete the conquest, taking "a vast amount of spoil from the city".

The crown of Malcam (or Molech) was placed (seemingly momentarily according to the research notes, because of its weight) on David's head, signifying total victory over both the Ammonites and their god. (2).

 

As for the city's inhabitants, they were "put to work at sawing stones and working with sharp iron instruments ". (3).

Some earlier scholars have described David's actions as cruel and barbaric, having misunderstood the original text. 

However, we now have more accurate modern translations that make it clear these people were simply put to use as labourers. (See research notes).

This is entirely in accordance with what we know of David's character and temperament.