|
P.O. Box 2107 | Kingston, ON K7K 3L8 | 613-542-3354 |
|
LIMESTONE CHURCH OF CHRIST Standing for New Testament Christianity |
|
December 30, 2007 Volume 11, Issue 52 |
It is that time of year again, when folks are making "New Year's Resolutions". Some will resolve to lose weight, some to save money, some to kick a habit, some to spend more time with family, some to enjoy more leisurely activities, some to manage time better, etc, etc, etc.. There are as many resolution possibilities as there are people to make them.
There may be many important resolutions to make regarding this temporal life, but of greater importance are things which deal with eternity. Consider some of the words of Jesus our Saviour which demand or attention and resolve:
- "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)
- "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
- "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these thins shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, or tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:33-34)
- "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
- "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)
- "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15)
How many sons did Jesse have, eight (1 Samuel 16:10-11) or seven (1 Chronicles 2:13-15)? Is there a contradiction?
RESPONSE:
1 Samuel 16:10-11 reads, "Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, 'The LORD has not chosen these. And Samuel said to Jesse, 'Are all the young men here?' Then he said, 'There remains yet the youngest and there he is keeping the sheep.' And Samuel said to Jesse, 'Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.'"
1 Chronicles 2:13-15 reads, "Jesse begot Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, Ozem the sixth, and David the seventh."
Indeed, in 1 Samuel 16, seven sons had already been seen by Samuel, and David, the youngest, would be the eighth. And yet, in 1 Chronicles 2, David is listed as the seventh. How can this be?
It is likely that one of Jesse's sons had died prematurely. He would have been alive at the time Samuel came to anoint a son of Jesse as king, but deceased thereafter. The absence of this one from the list may indicate that he had no offspring to perpetuate his name.
My wife, when asked about her family will often say that she has one sister. She in fact had 2 sisters, but one is deceased. Depending on the nature of the conversation, she may or may not mention the deceased sibling. The same would be true, even of this record in the Bible. There is no contradiction.
SUNDAY:
Radio program (104.3 FM)........10:00 a.m.
Bible Classes..........................10:45 a.m.
Worship..................................11:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY:
Bible Classes............................7:00 p.m.
Radio program (104.3 FM)........10:00 a.m.
Bible Classes..........................10:45 a.m.
Worship..................................11:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY:
Bible Classes............................7:00 p.m.
Offline 
Send Email