The Reading for the day often provide a wonderful source of material for exhortation. We have found this to be true for the last 10 years. This Sunday, August 7, is no exception.
Looking at the readings, we find dissension a prominent feature in all three portions. The conflict is between rival claimants to the throne in I Kings 1, between God-appointed Jeremiah and the self-appointed prophet Hananiah in Jeremiah 28 and between Christ and the Pharisees in Mark 2. As we consider each situation, we find that unjustified dissension leads to agony and even tragedy.
Adonijah contests Solomon
Adonijah “put himself forward” (NW) and said “I will be king.” There seem to be three reasons for his claim.
- Presumed parental favor because David had not interfered with his activities.
- He was very handsome.
- He was born next after Absalom.
None of these reasons is a qualification for being king over God’s people. When each is considered, Adonijah was clearly not justified in putting himself forward.
- David had never exerted much control over any of his sons. (cp. Am-non’s taking of Tamar and Absalom’s consequent murder of Amnon.)
- Other sons would also be handsome. (Such as Solomon, born of beautiful Bathsheba.)
- The fourth son did not afford any special privileges.
Thus the seed of discord among brethren was sown by Adonijah’s desire for pre-eminence rather than valid claims to the throne. He had the support of Joab and Abiathar but not their counterparts, Benaiah and Zadok, nor the invaluable prophet, Nathan. As events developed, Nathan’s strategy, with Bathsheba’s co-operation, brought Solomon, the God-designated heir, to the throne. Adonijah was humiliated and eventually executed.
The false prophet exposed
Hananiah contested Jeremiah’s prophecy of 70 years of servitude to Babylon. At this point, Jeremiah was dramatically portraying the word of God by wearing a wooden yoke (Jer. 28:10). The false-prophet seized this and violently broke it to emphasize his claim Israel would be free in two years.
Interestingly, Hananiah was from Gibeon (v.1). The Gibeonites were the ones who deceived Joshua and the people by their elaborate deception. In that case, as well as this one, the spoken lies were supported by dramatic physical actions. While the Gibeonites were allowed to live, they were to be cutters of wood and carriers of water (Josh. 9:27).
Having presumed to challenge the word of God, Hananiah was now to suffer the consequences. God did not allow him to live the two years of which he had presumptuously spoken. Jeremiah declared, “The LORD hath not sent thee, but thou makest this people to trust in a lie…this year thou shalt die…” (vs. 15-16). Instead of being one of the woodcutters and water-carriers, Hananiah had unjustifiably (he was not sent) put himself forward in a contentious manner; and within two months, he died.
Dissenting Pharisees
In Mark 2, the dissenting Pharisees repeatedly contended with Christ. “They sat in Moses’ seat” and should have welcomed the one who came to fulfill the law, which was a schoolmaster leading them to Christ. After each incident, however, be it miracle, feast or a mere walk in the country, they contradicted the words or actions of Jesus and his disciples:
“Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?” (v.7).
“How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?” (v.16).
“Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful?” (v.24).
Each time the Lord’s response cuts to the heart of the matter:
“But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins…” (v.10).
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’ (v.17).
“The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath…” (v. 27).
Just like Adonijah and Hananiah, the Pharisees were unjustifiably putting themselves forward. They were self-righteous, justifying themselves before men instead of humbly submitting to the word of God. As a result of their refusal to submit, they were to lose their place and their nation.
Dissension has its place when we are on God’s side; but when it is unjustified, it leads to nothing but harm. Adonijah opposed the king God had appointed; Hananiah confronted the God-sent Jeremiah; the Pharisees contended with the savior who came from God.
In considering these examples, let us take heed and be ready to humbly submit, seeking “those things which are above,” submitting to the instructions of God and following the way that leads to eternal life rather than tragedy and death.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One