Word of Encouragement (09/19/2024)
When you were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, 20 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, 21 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, 22 saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!" (1 Chron. 16:19-22)
In this section, David gives a historical account of God’s covenant faithfulness to His people, particularly to the Patriarchs (i.e., Abraham, Isaad, and Jacob). Their families were small in number even though they were blessed with many herds and flocks. They were also “sojourners” in foreign lands: they were migrants living among strangers. They could have been an easy target of prejudice, discrimination, and even persecution. We don’t know what legal rights were accorded them. Even if they had any, they had reasons to fear that whatever legal rights they had would not be upheld. At least, that was the fear Abram had when he went down to Egypt. He said to his wife, Sarai, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live” (Gen. 12:11-12). It is easy to look down on Abram for his cowardice. While what he did was far from honorable, we cannot underestimate the kind of danger he faced and how fearful he felt.
This makes us appreciate the kind of protection the LORD provided for the Patriarchs in all their journeys and through their sojourning. They wandered from nation to nation (v. 20). At that time, the land of Canaan occupied by many small nations. We also know that Abram went down to Egypt because of the famine in the land of Canaan. There were many critical moments. As he feared, the Egyptians tried to offer Sarai to Pharaoh (Gen. 12:15). But God intervened by appearing in Pharah’s dream. Thus, he spared Sarai’s dignity and added to Abram’s wealth through the gifts of Pharaoh. Something similar happened when he entered the kingdom of Gerar (Gen. 20:1-18) and when Isaac later entered the land as well (Gen. 26:1-6).
How about when Abram rescued Lot from the allied army of the kingdoms of Shinar, Ellasar, Elam, and Goiim (Gen. 14)? His love for Lot inspired him to achieve this feat of bravery. But when the deed was done, he grew deeply fearful. He was just the head of a family (even though he had 318 men under him, Gen. 14:14), and he just antagonized many nations. His fear must have been great if God saw it fit to appear and say to him, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great” (Gen. 15:1). How considerate of God to do this for Abram! Indeed, “he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, saying, ‘Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!’ (v. 21)!
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is our God. The covenant He made with them is with their descendants as well (v. 15). Even though we are not their children according to the flesh, we are their children of the promise by faith (Rom. 9:8). In fact, He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 1:3). In Jesus Christ, we have received the promise of a better protection from God—not from those who can only kill our bodies but from the things that bring eternal damnation—the condemnation of the law and accusation of Satan. And instead of keeping temporal afflictions away, God allows them in our lives and uses them for our good. Let us trust in our Shield and Refuge and live in boldness anc courage, knowing that we are invincible until we complete the work He has entrusted to us!