Generosity is the nature, the disposition of God
2Samuel 4-6 / Luke 15-16
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OT
4:1 When Ishbosheth heard about Abner’s death at Hebron, he lost all courage, and his people were paralyzed with fear.
:4 (Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when Saul and Jonathan were killed at the battle of Jezreel. When news of the battle reached the capital, the child’s nurse grabbed him and fled. But she fell and dropped him as she was running, and he became crippled as a result.)
6:3-7 They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the hillside home of Abinadab. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart with the Ark of God on it, with Ahio walking in front. David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments–lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the Ark of God. Then the LORD’s anger blazed out against Uzzah for doing this, and God struck him dead beside the Ark of God.
:20-23 When David returned home to bless his family, Michal came out to meet him and said in disgust, “How glorious the king of Israel looked today! He exposed himself to the servant girls like any indecent person might do!” David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, but I will be held in honor by the girls of whom you have spoken!” So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her life.
NT
15:31-32 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you and I are very close, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’“
OT Flash Points
Ishbosheth was Saul’s son, Mephibosheth was Jonathon’s son
Notice David’s dependence on the direction of God
God breaks out on Uzza when he touches the Ark
Some people just never get it
Though he attended the Ark many years, he ignored God’s instructions for transport
Joy in worship can cause those who worship sophistication to despise the joyful one
NT Flash Points
Joy over a lost son being found causes hurt feelings to the safe and blessed one
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Generosity is the nature, the disposition of God
Result: God has an enormous Lost and Found Dept!
Perspective
Ascension – consummation of the Transfiguration so that we may go with Him