Cross-Written.Com

Pre-reading: 1 & 2 Samuel

Recently, I did a study on the life of David. God said that David was “a man whose heart beats to my heart (Acts 13:22)” and even Jesus, The Messiah, is oftentimes referred as “The Son of David” in the scripture. Long after the death of David, the memory of this charismatic shepherd-king still remained in mind of God and the people of Israel. What so special about David that make him dearly to the heart of God? Is it a coincidence that the name ‘David’ in Hebrew literally means ‘The Beloved’? What had made God fallen in love with David despite his failures and weaknesses?I finally found a glimpse of answer as I read the second book of Samuel chapter nineteen:

But in private Joab rebuked the king: “Now you’ve done it—knocked the wind out of your loyal servants who have just saved your life, to say nothing of the lives of your sons and daughters, wives and concubines. What is this—loving those who hate you and hating those who love you? Your actions give a clear message: officers and soldiers mean nothing to you. You know that if Absalom were alive right now, we’d all be dead—would that make you happy?

Read the rest of this entry »

Now I will sing for the one I love
a song about his vineyard:
My beloved had a vineyard
on a rich and fertile hill.
He plowed the land, cleared its stones,
and planted it with the best vines.
In the middle he built a watchtower
and carved a winepress in the nearby rocks.
Then he waited for a harvest of sweet grapes,
but the grapes that grew were bitter.

The above verses are taken from the book of Isaiah chapter 5 (New Living Translation) and they tell us about somebody who has made every efforts in order to get the best wine from his vineyard. First, it is told that the vineyard was built on a rich and fertile land which he has plowed and cleared from stones. It means that the owner has chosen the best possible place for his vineyard. Second, it is told that the owner has planted it with the best vines. It means that the owner has provided the vineyard with the best possible vine, which is in Hebrew called as ‘Sorek’. It is the grapes that had scarcely perceptible seeds. Third, it is told that the owner has built a watchtower in the middle of the vineyard. It means that the vineyard is well protected, provided with guards to watch the vineyard against the depredations of man or beast. Fourth, it is told that the owner has carved a winepress in the nearby rocks. It means that the owner has provided the vineyard with the facilities to produce the best wine. Based on what the owner has done to his vineyard, it is very understandable why he looked forward for a harvest of sweet grapes. But it is told in the end that the grapes were bitter instead of the fact the owner has done everything he could possibly do to get the best out of his vineyard.Every businessman who started any business would likely to expect to get profit from his business. Every parent who raised children would likely to expect to have obedient children. Every farmer who planted his field would likely to expect to have plentiful harvest. Can you feel the heartache of the vineyard owner after knowing that the vineyard produced bitter grapes?

Read the rest of this entry »