“Jehovah Jireh" - 1 Samuel 23
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Story about God’s Providence on the road.
God’s providence can be a curious thing…when we look at all the events that have happened with the storm, natural disasters, and just the simplicity of everyday problems. Curious. We desire one thing we get another. We are told to do it this way, we do, and it does not help. We are then instructed to wait, but for how long? Why does this stuff keep happening and why doesn’t the Lord do something about it? What is He waiting for? We can read the news papers and follow social media and we see this in vivid fashion. We hear and sing that He is Jehovah Jireh, but is He. Is He really? So we wonder and despair. We are also shown how the Lord did provide His Word for us, His wonderful, wonderful Word, but it still does not help. Ahhh but is it because He does not give us answers or He is giving us the answers we do not like. Will He provide? Yes. Does He provide? Yes. We will see how in our passage today.
Ahhh but is it because He does not give us the answers or He is giving us the answers we do not like.
David was hiding at the cave of Adullam, when he was joined by his family and he became the commander of about 400 men. Saul went crazy and ordered the priest who helped David be executed along with all the others and their families. Abiathar the son of the high priest escaped and joined David. This is key for us today.
The Philistines are back on the scene. They are robbing farmers in Keilah. David asked the Lord if he should attack the Philistines and He said yes. David’s men were like no way. We are already afraid of Saul in our own homeland, why are we even thinking about going up against the Philistines? David asked the Lord again, and He said to go and He will help them. David and his men went and defeated the Philistines. It is mentioned here as a side note that when Abiathar came to David, he brought the ephod with him. When Saul found out about David being in Keilah, we was elated for he thought the Lord had given David to him. Saul mobilized his army. David found out about the plan and asked for the ephod to be brought to him to ask the Lord what he should do. He left Keilah and wandered the wilderness. When Saul heard, he did not go to Keilah. But he kept searching for David everyday. Jonathon went to David to encourage him. He urged him to keep the faith and assured him that his father will not find him. He will be at his side when he becomes king. They renewed their covenant together and Jonathan left. Then the men of Ziphim betrayed David to Saul and told him where he was hiding. Saul began to pursue David until they were both on either side of the mountain. As Saul began to close in on David, a message came saying that Israel was being attacked by the Philistines. Saul went back to fight. From that time, the place where David was camped, was called the Rock of Escape.
Now when Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, he brought the ephod with him.
Now when Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, he brought the ephod with him.
The Grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.
1. He Provides the Word
2. He Provides the Worship
3. He Provides the Sacrifice
The first thing we will explore today is how God provided, the Word, the Ephod for David like He provided the Bible for us today. Second, we find that the Lord provides David with the heart of Worship in the face of betrayal like the Lord can and will do for us as well. Finally, we will see how our Lord Jesus, the provided Word made flesh and dwelt among us, was also betrayed unto sacrifice, bringing to us victory over our enemies.
Thesis: Even though sin and our sinful world comes against us with circumstances that seem to be hopeless, it is the provided Word of God that will continue to guide, protect, and lead us to praise and worship.
I. He Provides the Word
- He has given us all that we need for life and godliness
A. Now in this story there is a very important side note. Verse 6. The priests were slaughtered, but the son of the priest escaped and brought with him the Ephod. This was especially important for the king.
B. The Ephod is a sacred linen vestment that was worn by priests. This is of utmost in sanctity. That is why in the last chapter the author brings up that they were even wearing the ephods when they were killed. But the interesting thing here, is that Abiathar brought the ephod of the high priest. This one is the one that had the pouch that held the revelatory Urim and Thummim.
Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron’s heart when he goes into the Lord’s presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the Lord’s will for his people whenever he goes in before the Lord.
D. Not exactly sure about the details, but it essentially served like lots. It was to show the will of God by giving yes or no answers to specific questions. There are not an abundance of Scriptures regarding the ephod, but it is clear that it was used for David here. Look at the way David asked questions.
E. The arrival of Abiathar was the last piece. David is now complete with the essential OT means of grace given by God to the king. The prophet and the priest. And both now have given him guidance. He now has all that he needs. This is an important illustration as to why the declaration of Jesus being our prophet priest and king is so important.
F. In addition, in the last chapter the prophet Gad told him the Word from the Lord to go back to Judah. This was probably told to David so that he could be in good position to fight the Philistines in Keilah. And now David and Abiathar use the ephod with the Urim and Thummim to inquire of the Lord as to what they should do. It led them to victory. Then it led them to safety when they inquired about Saul’s intention and the people of Keilah’s intension. This is the beauty of the Word of the Lord. The wonderful means of grace known as God’s revelation.
G. Wow. Some of us may ask. Man I wish we had that. You do have that…matter of fact what you have is even better than that. It is called the Word of God. The Bible.
H. No Shane. You don’t understand. What I want is specifics. I wanna know God’s will for specifics. I wanna know what I am to do in life, I wanna know who I will marry, I wanna know what to do about conflict, I wanna know how to help my friends, I wanna know what love is. The Word of God does not give me specifics. You know why? You don’t need um. If it is not in the Scriptures then you don’t need them.
God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
K. You already have everything you need to know, you already have everything you need. What about what I’m supposed to do. Love God. What about my specific decision, just make one that honors God. What about the future, seek God. What about circumstances, seek ye first the kingdom of God…
L. The problem is that we don’t believe that we have all that we need. If we were really after life and godliness, we would see that the Word is enough. In sin will ask about stocks to invest in. Gambling in Vegas, who is going to win the Superbowl ect… using the information for selfish gain instead of His glory.
M. Sin and its corruption blind us to the jewel that we have in our hands today. David says of the Word.
They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
O. David learned of the sufficiency of the scriptures during this time. He had all that he needed even wandering in the wilderness. All that He needed. He had the prophet and now the priest. He had what the Lord provided
P. We also have all that we need, even when you feel like your maybe wandering in the wilderness, lost in confusion, ripe with fear, and terror of the unknown. Take joy. The Word of the Lord revives the soul and gives joy to the heart. We have our prophet, priest, and king that is better than all the rest. If these guys were good enough for David, Christ is more than good enough for us all. His grace will be sufficient for us. His word is sufficient for us all.
Q. An unknown writer said, "This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.
II. He Provides the Worship
- Even when we are faced with betrayal, our Jesus is so great, we cannot help but praise Him.
A. And now even after all that happened, David is betrayed by the Ziphites and Saul pursues David. He almost catches up to him when Saul is forced to turn back because of the attack of the Philistines.
B. Now the betrayal if the Ziphites would have took its toll of David. Betrayal is not an easy thing to deal with. Have you ever felt betrayed? Ever needed to pull a knife out of your back? Does not feel to good does it?
C. No treachery is worse than betrayal by a family member or friend. Julius Caesar knew such treachery. Among the conspirators who assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 was Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar not only trusted Brutus, he had favored him as a son. According to Roman historians, Caesar first resisted the onslaught of the assassins. But when he saw Brutus among them with his dagger drawn, Caesar ceased to struggle and, pulling the top part of his robe over his face, asked the famous question, "You too, Brutus?"
D. What am I supposed to do when I am betrayed? Do we wallow in self-pity? Do we plan our revenge? Do we fall into utter denial? No… We Worship. That is what David did when he was betrayed by the Ziphites. But like all of the other chapters, when David faces a difficult situation, the Holy Spirit led him to worship. The Holy Spirit inspired worship.
E. David was betrayed and he pens another Psalm that brought comfort to millions over the years.
Come with great power, O God, and rescue me!
Defend me with your might.
Listen to my prayer, O God.
Pay attention to my plea.
For strangers are attacking me;
violent people are trying to kill me.
They care nothing for God.
Interlude
But God is my helper.
The Lord keeps me alive!
May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them.
Do as you promised and put an end to them.
I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you;
I will praise your name, O Lord,
for it is good.
For you have rescued me from my troubles
and helped me to triumph over my enemies.
Psalm 54:
III. He Provides the Sacrifice
- The Word made flesh will continue to give life, guide, protect, and lead us to worship.
A. So many times, we have struggled like David. In the wilderness of confusion and in the pains of betrayal. Many of us have come through some of this already. But some of us may still be there.
B. Our enemy is sin and it causes us to lose faith and heart in the promises of God. It causes us to lose heart in the the Word of God. But His word is true. His love is true. His grace is true. He will provide, because what He already provided, tells us its true.
C. That is why, even though sin remains, we can still rejoice today. The Word of our Lord stands forever. It will not return to Him void. It will accomplish all that He intends. And His word declared… The life and death of our lord has brought us life and life more abundantly. The wages of sin no longer has a hold on us. What the Lord provided declares… The Gospel.
D. Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures and He was buried and He was…
E. Jesus came into this world to seek and to save that which was lost.
F. This is why we have life. David wrote… The Lord keeps us alive. This is why we can rejoice today. We have the Word of God guiding and leading us to all grace and mercy. David wrote… the Lord is our Helper. He will deliver us from our enemies. He will deliver us from hell, death and the grave.
G. This is the glorious gospel it will guide us, it will protect us, and it will lead us to praise and to worship.