May 16, 2004 am
Mike Blume
1Sa 18:1-4
(1) And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
(2) And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
(3) Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
(4) And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
1Sa 31:1-3
(1) Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
(2) And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
(3) And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
2Sa 1:4
(4) And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
2Sa 1:17
(17) And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
2Sa 1:25-27
(25) How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
(26) I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
(27) How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
2Sa 9:1-8
(1) And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
(2) And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
(3) And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
(4) And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
(5) Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
(6) Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
(7) And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
(8) And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
Saul was the first King of Israel who began with a mighty reign and a true humility before God.
- He was confronted by Samuel and anointed to be king, and wondered why of all people he should be king.
- Very humble.
- But things changed as time went by, especially after David slew Goliath and Saul took him into his home, only for Saul to begin hearing women sing of how David slew tens of thousands, while Saul only slew thousands.
Saul represents ADAM.
- God gave Adam dominion over the Earth in Genesis.
- And Adam was holy unto God and served God in the Garden of Eden.
- But things changed and Adam sinned.
- Adam speaks of SHAME and FAILURE.
As Saul's Kingship came to a horrible end one day in a battle, losing the kingdom God had entrusted to him, ADAM fell from grace into sin and DIED, when he never should have died, but should have lived forever.
1Co 15:22
(22) For as in Adam all die, ...
Notice the bible uses the terms "IN ADAM, ALL DIE."
- It's very important for you to understand the use of these terms.
- When you were born into this life, YOU WERE IN ADAM.
Rom 5:12
(12) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
That one man was ADAM.
- Sin came into this world and passed upon all men.
- And this is because we were all said to be IN ADAM when he sinned.
- We were in his loins, yet unborn.
- He affected us all before we were even born.
- And as Romans 5:12 says that death passes upon all men and all have therefore sinned, 1 Cor 15:22 said ALL IN ADAM SHALL DIE.
- Remember that the bible states that the soul that sins must die.
But Saul did not die alone in that battle that day.
- His son Jonathan died in the same battle.
Jonathan was about the same age as David and when David came into Saul's palace to live after slaying the giant, Jonathan and David hit it off from the start.
- They became incredibly close friends.
- They entered into a covenant and Jonathan gave David his robe, garments, sword, bow and girdle, or belt.
- David and Jonathan were in COVENANT together!
When Saul died in battle, Jonathan also died.
Saul represents ADAM, but Jonathan also represents somebody as well.
- Saul became David's enemy.
- But Jonathan was absolutely close to David at the same time.
- Let us recognize that JONATHAN REPRESENTS JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD.
- DAVID REPRESENTS GOD.
- Note that SAUL represents ADAM, the human race.
- We've all been born IN ADAM.
- The human race lost the Kingdom in the Garden.
- MAN lost out.
- Adam speaks of MAN.
And God was manifest in flesh as a MAN.
- As Jonathan was son of Saul, Jesus Christ was called SON OF MAN.
- In fact, SON OF MAN was Jesus' own favourite title for Himself, if you follow the gospels closely.
ADAM fell from grace and became an enemy of God, so to speak, and wound up dying and losing the KINGDOM.
- He lost the Garden of Eden, His kingdom on earth.
- As distant as Saul became from God, Jonathan WAS SO INCREDIBLY CLOSE TO DAVID.
- David actually said these words:
2 Sam 1:26 ...very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
Beyond the sort of love that is so close between a husband and a wife, there is a greater love that was soulish and spiritual, that David had for Jonathan.
- This speaks of the love of God and the Son, Jesus Christ.
John 3:35
(35) The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
In order to bring salvation to the world, God, in such Great Love for His Son, brought about a COVENANT.
- Everything was given to the Son.
- Everything.
- And to save mankind from death and sin, Jesus Christ identified with ADAM'S DEATH.
- He went down into the same death that Adam's race went into.
- As all of Adam dies, Jesus Christ died.
- As all mankind had sin leading to this death, Jesus Christ bore our sins.
1Pe 2:24
(24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
He bare our sins on the tree of the cross.
- He shared the death because of sin that all of ADAM -- the human race -- experienced.
Now, there is a deep and powerful truth that Christians need to become fully aware of.
- And here is where Mephibosheth's story comes into play.
- Mephibosheth was Jonathan's son.
2Sa 4:4
(4) And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
After Saul died, David took over the Kingdom.
- This is like the KINGDOM God gave to Adam was taken again by GOD, Himself.
- And in those days, when one king took over another king's dominion, he would slay all the former king's relatives so that nobody from that other lineage might rise in popularity by people who still wanted the older king's family in power.
- And this is what hit Mephibosheth.
- His nurse grabbed him when he was five years old and carried him in fear for his life to save him from imagined death.
- And she slipped and dropped him, causing him to become crippled.
Let me mention here that if Jonathan represents JESUS CHRIST, then who would Jonathan's son represent?
David conquers all his enemies and takes the kingdom, and much time passes.
- Years pass.
- One day David decides to show kindness to anybody in Saul's family because of the covenant he and Jonathan had before Jonathan's death.
- And Mephibosheth is mentioned as being still alive and living in a town called Lodebar.
Now, the name Lodebar, actually means "PASTURELESS".
Christians are compared to SHEEP in the Bible.
- God is our Shepherd.
- And sheep are supposed to be in PASTURES.
- They graze and feed and find comfort there.
- The Lord is my shepherd who makes me to lie down in green pastures.
- So Mephibosheth is not only crippled, but he lives in a place called PASTURELESS, as a Christian crippled who cannot walk properly.
But Jesus also called people who were not even saved yet as sheep not yet brought to the fold.
John 10:16
(16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
So there is a picture on the one hand of someone unsaved and not a Christian who is crippled in sin, and also a Christian who should be in the fold and pasture, but are crippled up and pastureless.
- And such a person lives outside the place GOD HAS FOR THEM, as their Shepherd.
And because of the COVENANT with THE SON OF MAN, JESUS CHRIST, God sets out to BLESS these lost sheep.
- And while God seeks to love and bless mankind, mankind instead looks at God -- as well as many Christians who struggle and never rest in God's pasture -- as someone OUT TO KILL THEM.
- They misunderstand God.
- They know they are human and they are crippled and unworthy, and therefore feel like God is out to kill them and judge them mercilessly.
Mephibosheth's nurse ran in haste in such fear, and Mephibosheth fell and became crippled TO NOT BE ABLE TO WALK.
- Spiritually speaking, the WALK is the sort of life God intended man to live.
- Joy and peace and comfort -- in His pasture.
Pastureless, crippled and in a twisted fear that was absolutely unnecessary over something that simply was not true at all -- the thought that GOD HATES THEM AND SEEKS TO JUDGE THEM AND SLAW THEM.
When you feel so unworthy and fearful to come near to God, you are deprived, and crippled and pastureless.
Joe 1:18
(18) How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
Desolate means deserted and deprived of comfort.
- The sheep are made desolate without a pasture.
This is Mephibosheth.
- This is like some of you!
You're pastureless by your own choosing based upon a misconception of God that he hates you and seeks to kill you.
- And it's all due to a very common problem!
When Mephibosheth came into David's home, we read...
(7) And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
To which Mephibosheth replied:
(8) And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
This was the entire problem.
- This is why so many people think God hates them and that they need ot get as far away from God as they can.
- THEY LOOK AT THEIR OWN SELVES AND THEIR OWN WORTHLESSNESS.
- BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT DAVID DID NOT TREAT MEPHIBOSHETH BASED UPON MEPHIBOSHETH'S SELF.
- DAVID TREATED MEPH. UPON THE BASIS OF HIS COVENANT WITH JONATHAN!
2Sa 9:1-8
(1) And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
That is like saying, "Is there any man, woman, or child from the race of ADAM, to whom I can show kindness and love because OF MY COVENANT THROUGH JESUS CHRIST AND MY LOVE FOR HIM?"
Don't hide from God!
- Stop thinking God hates you because you are this or you are that!
- GOD LOVES YOU BECAUSE OF ANOTHER'S GOODNESS!
- THE COVENANT WITH JESUS CHRIST IS THE BASIS FOR GOD'S TREATMENT WITH YOU!
Do not be SELF-conscious.
Be COVENANT-CONSCIOUS!
1Pe 2:24-25
(24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
(25) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Like sheep without a shepherd and no pasture, we were astray.
- We ran away from the fold.
- We feared God would hate us and smite us.
- BUT WE RETURNED TO THE SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS AND ARE TO BE BLESSED BECAUSE JESUS BORE OUR SINS ON HIS OWN BODY ON THE CROSS, SO THAT WE COULD BE CONSIDERED DEAD TO THE SINS THAT GOD HATED.
- AND WE COULD LIVE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS.
BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.
- A spiritual healing occurs upon our crippled states and conditions!
- A healing occurs upon our stray Adamic, human lives.
- Our sins are removed!
Jonathan died with Saul in the same battle.
- Adam fell from his kingdom and died because of sin.
- The battle that defeated him was sin.
- Jesus took all of our sins from the whole human race onto Himself, and died in that very same battle.
- And it was so that someone from Adam's race might be shown kindness and love and mercy.
MEPHIBOSHETH DID NOT DESERVE IT, and neither did we!
- But HE WAS NOT TREATED UPON THE BASIS OF WHAT HE DESERVED.
- HE WAS TREATED ON THE BASIS OF A COVENANT WITH ONE WHO WAS WORTHY.
- And YOU are treated by God on the basis of a covenant involving JESUS CHRIST THE WORTHIEST MAN WHO EVER EXISTED.
- He identified with all our death and sin.
When you realize that, you will COME to the pasture and God will be your Shepherd and you will lie down in green pastures.
Notice that David said he would restore all the land that Saul lost?
- Jesus restores to us the GARDEN OF EDEN'S KINGDOM ONCE AGAIN!
- All that Adam lost!
2Sa 9:13
(13) So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.
You may be crippled, and unworthy in yourself, but you can sit at the KING'S TABLE and eat continually!
- David did not care what people thought of a cripple at his table FOR EVERY MEAL!
- God does not care about your unworthiness in yourself to be able to sit in the congregation of His church and feats on eternal and wonderful truths of His word!
- He does all of this for you because of the worthiness of JESUS CHRIST who died for you.
- It's all because of Jesus Christ's goodness that we are here today.
- It's His worthiness that allows us crippled old human beings, derelicts from Adam's race, to SIT AT THE TABLE OF THE KING.
- Don't look at your unworth when you come to God's house -- look at Jesus' worth, because God treats you according to how worthy Jesus IS!
We will feast in NEW JERUSALEM forevermore with Jesus! Eating Continually sort of foreshadows ETERNITY!
1Co 15:22
(22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Mephibosheth’s name means “OUT OF MY MOUTH PROCEEDS REPROACH.”
- The reproach that Mephibosheth SPOKE was that David should not treat him so well because he is “a dead dog.”
- Do not be a reproach by speaking so foolishly of God blessing you or not because of your state of being.
- When you look to yourself and hide away from the pasture and fear that God will kill you, you actually bring reproach to the COVENANT OF GOD.
- You RUIN the chance for God to love you based upon Christ’s worthiness and goodness.
- You ruin the blessings of the Gospel.
- Start speaking properly!
2Co 5:21
(21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
You are God’s righteousness because He gave you His worthiness when He took your sin and you accepted Jesus Christ’s salvation!
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