What Does Covenant Look Like? Pt5
Leadership in Context with Keith Tucci
Episode 110
2 Samuel 9:1-4
Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” The king said, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.” So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”
Last week, we discussed David’s recognition of Saul, even though Saul had been vicious and wicked to him. David still paid honor to Saul based on the fact that David’s covenant friend Jonathan would not have existed without Saul and you can’t have a cancel culture.
COVENANT PEOPLE SEEK PEOPLE OUT.
My life has been enriched by key friends who, when we’ve had a falling out, have sought me out to restore that relationship. Covenant people don’t see people as something you can throw away; instead, they seek people out.
On a witness stand, a good lawyer would tell you to not answer any more than what was asked. You don’t want to feed them information because you know their motive in asking.
Ziba was called to David and was not volunteering any information. David asked a question, and Ziba answered, “Yes.” Jonathan’s son was the heir-apparent to the throne. Most kings would take that guy out. Ziba answered David truthfully, but didn’t volunteer anything extra. David had to ask a series of questions to get the right answers out of this guy.
Machir is where Jonathan’s son was hiding out. Who is this guy who would take in a dead monarch’s son who is crippled, cannot provide for himself, and has lost all of his inheritance? I like that guy!
There is a pattern in Scripture of people who hid others. There is the un-named lady who hid David’s spies. Obadiah hid the prophets from Jezebel. In Scripture, we see a blessing on those who hide the innocent from the vengeful.
There is a difference between lying and not bearing false witness. A lie is an outright distortion of facts. Not bearing false witness is understanding what is being asked. If you were living in Germany and someone knocked on your door asking if any Jews were there, even if there were Jews there, you would say, “No.” Really what they were asking is if there were any Jews there that they could have, and, of course, the answer is, “No!” That’s a truthful answer before God.
Understanding the difference between facts and Truth and lying and not bearing false witness is important. There may be a day and time when we, as believers, have to protect other people. I’ve been arrested in other countries and thank the Lord for believers who understand that it’s not just the right thing to do to protect someone, but the covenant thing to do.
Covenant people seek people out. And they seek people out that they might bless and honor. Are we that type of people today who would risk our reputation? We look at the Holocaust and wonder how on earth that happened. It happened because people turned over the Jews for fear that if they didn’t, they would lose their land, their possessions.
In 2 Samuel 9, we see that the people were afraid that King David could take out any heir to the throne. This, of course, was not David’s plan.
2 Samuel 9:7
David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.”
Again, David recognizes Saul. For the rest of Mephibosheth’s life, David took care of him, watched over him, and protected him.
Covenant people seek people out. Is there someone in your life who has sought you out instead of walking away and forgetting about you? Is there someone who should be in your life that you need to reach out to and see where the grace of God takes you in that situation?
Join us next week as Keith Tucci continues to put leadership truth in the context of the local church. And as always, please like, share, rate/review, and invite others to listen. See you next week!
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