Asking questions is an art

In Socratic teaching we focus on 

giving students questions, not answers.

As a tactic and approach, 

Socratic questioning is a highly disciplined process.

Learn from leading questions! 

An Elder "inquired"
Jesus is in a physical, resurrected body now.
- Does he need a physical place to dwell? Doesn't the heaven in which we will dwell already exist? If we are going to where Jesus is, then why does there need to be a new earth and new heaven at the end?

A fellow Elder responded
You said: Jesus is in a physical, resurrected body now. Does he need a physical place to dwell?
My thoughts: I wouldn't say it is a need or necessity, but it is a possibility. Like Elijah and Enoch, I'm sure they are able to exist in paradise in bodily form. But my thoughts on this are not built on reasoning but on the specific texts of 2 Peter 3 and the language contained therein.

You said: Doesn't the heaven in which we will dwell already exist?
My thoughts: Where God dwells, paradise, certainly exists.

You said: If we are going to where Jesus is, then why does there need to be a new earth and new heaven at the end?
My thoughts: I would not consider it a thing of necessity, but more of God's determining purpose. We could really ask why concerning all of God's redemptive acts. How then is it new? It could just be new to us in way of experience. Existing in glorified bodies in the very presence of God would certainly be new to us. I personally lean towards it being a completely new existence as well as experience. I liken this principle to that of hell and the lake of fire. Hell seems to be the temporary place of punishment for the non-elect. After the resurrection and general judgement the non-elect, death, the devil, the devil's angels, and hell will all be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14, Matthew 25:41). Like brother Invincible, I am not completely opposed to the idea that the elect will just be floating in the clouds, I just lean toward a different direction on this one because the language in certain portions of scripture say to much to be referring to something else.

It seems that the problem may arise in our minds because both Peter and Paul are using the finite to describe the infinite. This would be like be trying to describe airplanes, computers, tanks, etc. to people in the dark ages. I would have to use phenomenological language to describe what I saw and there would be some amount of a language gap. Likewise, there are certain incommunicable attributes of eternity that we cannot fully understand until we personally experience them. I am very thankful to know that whether my interpretation of 2 Peter 3 is correct or wrong, I will enjoy eternity no less because of those errors. And that is truly pleasing.
========

 My observation
 As far as I can trace from all the exchanges on this particular thread "New heavens and new earth", that's the only response to the questions posed.
I have a gut feeling that despite the sincere attempt in responding to the questions, the Elder not only has failed (or has avoided) to answer the questions but has also entirely missed the obvious implication wisely intended by the inquirer!

Jesus is in a physical, resurrected body now. Does he need a physical place to dwell? Doesn't the heaven in which we will dwell already exist? If we are going to where Jesus is, then why does there need to be a new earth and new heaven at the end? 

Do you see the implication of those questions on our understanding of the term "the new heavens and new earth"? Let me assist, if I may, to make it a wee bit plainer.

The man Christ Jesus (a), in His resurrected and glorified state, is now in heaven, and at the very right hand of God (b). Where the man Christ Jesus now is, is exactly the same place where all His redeemed people shall be when they are similarly resurrected and glorified.(c,d).

(a) 1Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
(b) 1Pet 3:22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
(c) John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(d) 1Th 5:9-10 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

With the plain truth stated above, let's answer the questions, and state the OBVIOUS point intended by those questions. I always insist that when questions are asked, people must actually answer the questions. But there is always a way to answer and yet avoiding the question at the same time.

Let me attempt to actually answer the questions.

Q. Does he need a physical place to dwell?
A. Where the glorified man Christ Jesus presently dwell is NOT a physical place. Therefore, the resurrected man Christ Jesus DOES NOT need a physical place to dwell.

Q. Doesn't the heaven in which we will dwell already exist?
A. The heaven in which we shall dwell and live together with Christ after the resurrection to glory is the heaven where Christ Jesus presently dwells. Therefore the heaven in which we shall dwell already exist.

Q. If we are going to where Jesus is, then why does there need to be a new earth and new heaven at the end?
A. We the redeemed are going to be with Jesus, where He now is. The heaven where the man Christ Jesus now is is already perfectly suited for the gloried man Christ Jesus. The same place is therefore perfectly suited for His glorified saints after their glorification at resurrection. Therefore, there is NO NEED of a new heaven and new earth at the end of the world.

I suspect that is the CONCLUSION those questions were intended by the astute inquirer for a student to draw and conclude. If that is the right conclusion, then how does that conclusion AFFECT our view and understanding on the meaning of the "new heavens and a new earth" (or its slight variations) used in the Scriptures?

How are we to understand them? May the Author of the Scriptures give each student of God's word grace to gird up the loin of his mind to understand, and know the truth.

I hope I have truly answered the questions. My true attempt DOES NOT mean the answers are necessarily correct. It does mean that I have honestly attempted to answer the questions.

I do hate it when my questions are avoided with platitudes and shibboleths! (I didn't ask the above questions). I fear that often shrewd folks avoid answering questions because they know that answering them will expose the inherent contradictions or inadequacy or fallacy in the views they believe and defend.

What do you think?

The Last Days and the Scoffers in 2Pet 3

There shall come in the last days scoffers

The Last Days and the Scoffers in 2Pet 3

Here is the Scriptures, 2Pet 3:1-7
3:1 ¶ This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3 ¶ Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

=================

Some thoughts on these few verses.

Introduction

Remember this firmly in your mind: Apostle Peter was writing to the Jewish believers in around 66AD, to stir up their pure mind, urgently bringing to their remembrance the words of the holy prophets and the commandments of the Lord's apostles about one specific matter... the promised coming of the Lord. What is that?

Is that the coming of the Lord in judgment upon Israel in 70AD, as prophesied by the holy prophets, and solemnly reiterated by the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt 24-25), and faithfully taught by the apostles of the Lord? Or is that the coming of the Lord in consummation of the work of redemption at the end of the gospel age?

Which coming is Apostle Peter alerting the Jewish believers he was writing to? The latter is a very popular notion among the Gentile churchmen, embraced and defended by able theologians and students of God's word. I choose to differ. Let the reader judge for himself.

I. Apostle Peter's sense of urgency (v1-2)

He is determined to stir up the pure minds of the Jewish believers, to make them mindful of the words spoken by the holy prophets, and the commandments of Christ's apostles on the specific subject which shall be scoffed at in the last days.
- Apostle Peter wrote the second epistle circa AD 66.
- What is that subject? It is the promised coming of the Lord.

II. The scoffers in the last days (v3-4)

a. "knowing this first" - conveys a sense of importance, and urgency of the matter at hand.
- The matter dealt with was urgent because of its imminency, and will affect the recipients of the letter personally when it happens.
- The matter is not about something still far off into the future.

b. "in the last days" - what is the context of "the last days"?
- Many insist it is the last days of the gospel age/present world, i.e. Peter, presumably under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, was warning the Jewish believers of something still very far away in the future.
- Others understand it as the last days of the ancient theocratic kingdom of Israel, prophesied by the holy prophets, and repeatedly taught by the Lord Jesus Christ.

c. "there shall come... scoffers"
- Scoffers shall most certainly arise, and soon because the last days are drawing nigh quickly. Be vigilant, and don't be taken in by their scoffing. Therefore the great need for Peter to warn them.
- Who were they? They were unbelieving Jews among God's children, i.e. they walk in their own lust, insisting on believing on their own ideas instead of the words of the holy prophets and the commandments of the Lord's apostles on the subject.
- What were they scoffing at? They were scoffing at "the promised coming of the Lord."

d. "Where is the promised coming of the Lord?"
- The derisive and contemptuous question implies a few things:
i. they were well informed of the prophecy by the holy prophets, and by the Lord Himself, and faithfully taught by the apostles of the Lord too;
ii. the solemn and repeated warnings of the Lord Jesus as well as the faithful teaching of His Apostles about the imminent coming has stirred up and heightened the expectation; iii. long periods of time have passed and nothing has happened. Thus the derision and scorn expressed in the question.

The holy prophets prophesied hundreds of years ago, and Jesus Christ has prophesied nearly 40 years ago. But where is the prophesied coming of the Lord in judgment against Israel? Their conclusion - there will be no such coming of the Lord.
- Later the Apostle Peter corrected them that their reckoning of time and the Lord's reckoning of time are on an entirely different timescale! Therefore, just because long periods of time have passed, it does not mean that the prophecy has failed. The word of God remains immutable, and the prophecy will surely come to pass at its appointed time.)

e. The scoffers themselves reason like this:
- "for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." Therefore, it will continue and remain the same...
- What do they mean? Who are the fathers referred to? The fathers of what, and to who? What is the creation spoken of? How are the two related... the fathers and the creation?
- I suggest the fathers refers to the patriarchs of the ancient nation of Israel, and the creation refers to the birth of the theocratic nation of Israel. The Jewish scoffers don't call the non-Jews in such term! The scoffers are saying in effect, "See, ever since the beginning of the creation of theocratic Israel, ALL THINGS concerning our ancient nation has remained, and continued unto this day! It has remained for many hundreds of years!
- Therefore, it will continue and remain the same with our beloved ancient nation of Israel. The promised coming of the Lord to execute judgment upon, and to end Israel is just a hogwash!
- Thus, "WHERE is the promised coming of the Lord?" "No such nonsense," they insist.

f. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise", rebuts the insinuation implied in the question "where is the promised coming?" The Lord is not slack. He will come when the time is fulfilled.
- Any impression of delay or non-fulfillment was in reality, the Lord's longsuffering towards His people among the Jews, including those impudent scoffers. The Lord is not willing that any of His people should perish in the fiery judgment that was coming upon Israel but that all should repent of their unbelief on the prophesied destruction, and to take heed of the warning to flee. Not to do so would get them slaughtered and roasted by the Roman army executing the Lord's judgment.
- The Lord is not willing that any of His redeemed should perish in such shameful horrendous destruction stated in terms of cosmic and cataclysmic catastrophe, "in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."
- It took some of God's children among the Jews, who were born, and grew up in the very bosom of the ancient theocratic Israel, a long time to come to receive the truth. Too many Gentiles are completely oblivious of this unique fact, and their great implications.

III. Apostle Peter exposing the scoffers' wilful ignorance (v5-10)

a. Apostle Peter countered that such scoffing is possible only because the scoffers are willingly ignorant, i.e. bury their heads in the mud, refuse to acknowledge the plain facts recorded in their own Scriptures, for the scoffers were unbelieving Jews. The scoffers are willingly ignorant of the historical facts from Scriptures.
- What are they willfully ignorantly of? The immutability of the word of God.
- By the word of God, the promised coming will be fulfilled. The word of God is immutable!

b. Apostle Peter raised two separate but related matters to demonstrate that exact truth.
- By the word of God, "the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water" Gen 1:9. Therefore doubt not the word of God concerning the promised coming.
- By the word of God, "the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished." By the same word of God the world that then was, was destroyed by the universal flood, just as He had warned, and promised through Noah. "And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die." Gen 6:17.

- The old wicked unbelieving world of Noah perished completely. Noah was brought safely through that universal judgment by believing in the word of God. He was delivered from the old world and brought into a new world (STILL HERE ON EARTH!!!).
- The flood that destroyed Noah's world was prophesied a long time before it came to pass. And it came to pass despite all the scoffing during the long years when Noah was building the ark. The word of God to Noah was fulfilled, after many years had passed, and despite so much scoffing.
- What made the scoffers of the last days think that the ancient "everlasting" theocratic Israel will stand one day longer than that which the immutable word of the omnipotent God has determined?
- There were scoffers in Noah's day too! No one had even heard of rain up till then. The idea of a flood is just too preposterous, insisted the scoffers then. Israel is an "everlasting" kingdom - it has lasted for millenniums, went through all sorts of extreme circumstances and remained. God Himself has preserved it.
- So, His promised coming to judge and obliterate Israel is just a hodgepodge nonsense, scoffed the scoffers.

c. "the heavens and the earth, which are now" - what are they?
- It is very popular to understand Peter as referring to the physical world that they were then living in. A few understand that Peter was referring to the religious world of the ancient theocratic kingdom of Israel, which has been kept and preserved by the word of God's power for thousands of years but was fast drawing to its end in the purpose of God.
- Where did Apostle Peter get the "terminology" from? He got it from one of the holy prophets, Isaiah. Isaiah 65 and 66 speak of the judgment and abolition of Israel (the old heavens and old earth), and the "creation" of the new heavens and new earth. The great truth of the "old" being replaced by the "new" is the chief subject of another epistle addressed especially to the Jewish believers, i.e. the epistle to the Hebrews.

d. "by the same word are kept in store"
- The ancient theocratic nation of Israel has been kept and preserved by the same word of God through thousands of years despite all forces to destroy it. It was everlasting only because it was kept by the same word of God. No human forces could end the nation of Israel. Nations came and went BUT Israel and all it represents have been kept by the SAME word of God. It will last, and has lasted until then.
- But its end and abolition have been determined by God. It has been prophesied by the holy prophets, and repeated by Christ Jesus, as well as taught by the Lord's apostles.
- Their appointed end was fast drawing nigh. The day of the Lord's wrath is at hand. The last days of the theocratic were at hand, and scoffers shall arise.

e. "reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."
- That is the same as the coming day of the Lord spoken of. The great judgment upon Israel is described in cataclysmic and catastrophic language by Jesus himself. Read Mt 24. The same catastrophic language was used by prophet Isaiah, Isa 65.
- "Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.... Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not... And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:" Isa 65:7,12,15.
- It was in such context that we read this declaration, "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Isa 65:17.

f. The parallel of the judgments in the flood and in the 70AD
- A parallel between the judgment of the old world of Noah and the judgment of the old theocratic world of the Jews is noted by Peter. There were scoffers at both, but the word of God will most certainly come to pass. In both, the world was ridden off the unbelieving wicked through the destruction of the old, and the making of the new world. Noah continued to dwell on in the NEW world on the same planet earth! The believing Jews after the catastrophic destruction in 70AD entered into a new world on the same planet earth without the wickedness represented by the geriatric theocratic Israel.

- Note the words of the Lord Jesus Christ confirming the same: "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Mt 24:34-37

- "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; SO SHALL ALSO the coming of the Son of man be." Mt 24:38-39

The Lord Jesus Christ was PLAINLY speaking of the destruction of Israel. All those things came to pass in that generation... yes, in 70AD. The old "heaven and earth" of the Jews were obliterated, and bringing in the new! To the unbelieving, the prophesied judgment shall strike them like a thief in the night. They will be taken by surprise, just as in the days of Noah!

The Wisdom of Abigail

A Chinese bride in traditional bridal gown

The Wisdom of Abigail

“Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.”

I Samuel 25:3

Introduction:

1.      The Bible strictly and plainly teaches wives to submit to their husbands (Gen 3:16; I Cor 11:9; Eph 5:22-24).

2.      But it limits that submission short of “amazement,” which is mental stupefication, bewilderment, perplexity, and consternation to the extent that a woman is confused about obeying God or her husband (I Pet 3:1-6).

3.      As with all authority, when there is a conflict, we ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 4:19; 5:29).

4.      Abigail provides a splendid example and illustration of this principle – she disobeys her husband to do right.

5.      Every girl and woman should learn how to live a holy life and not let fear of father or husband dismay her.

6.      Every girl and woman should learn how to approach an angry father or husband to obtain his full approval.

7.      Abigail did both, perfectly! She disobeyed her husband, changed David’s enflamed mind, and won his heart!

8.      Here is one of the most precious dramas in one chapter found in the Bible. Hollywood can eat their heart out.

9.      Here is one of the most eloquent speeches ever delivered, as she turns a passionate man from his intentions.

10.  Every girl and woman should aspire to have the combination of wisdom and understanding and looks as she.

11.  There is more wisdom in the Word of God than all the books and manuals of man combined and squared!

12.  There is a love story and marital advice in this drama, which excels any romance novel or marital counselor.

The SETTING  (1-3)

25:1
- David went to the wilderness in south Judah after Samuel’s funeral, for prudent mistrust of Saul.

25:2
- Maon and Carmel are places in south Judah near Paran (Joshua 15:55; I Sam 23:24; I Sam 26:1).
- There was a very rich man, with 3000 sheep, 1000 goats, and a substantial estate, in Maon.
- It was the time of shearing sheep, which is the annual event bringing in the revenue for the year.
- It was a time of great celebration, for it was the one great payday for the year (II Sam 13:23-28)!

25:3
- The rich man’s name was Nabal, which means fool; and he deserved the name for his character.
- He was churlish, which is “intentionally boorish or rude in behavior; hard, harsh, ‘brutal’, surly, ungracious. It includes “sordid, niggardly, stingy, grudging.” See Isaiah 32:5,7 about a churl.
- He was an evil man, as his actions and the testimony of his wife show; he was a son of Belial.
- Belial is a word personifying evil and often used for the devil; he was like a son of the devil.
- He was properly of Judah, having descended from the noble house of Caleb. What a disgrace!
- His wife was Abigail, who was a woman of good understanding – wise, who was also beautiful.
- Not all marriages are made in heaven! Abigail was sacrificed, likely for money, to an evil pig.
- She obeyed him, as God requires: the worse the husband, the greater the blessing (I Pet 2:18-20)!

The REQUEST  (4-9)

25:4    
- David, hiding in the wilderness to maintain his security, is informed that Nabal is shearing sheep. 
- Nabal should be feeling prosperous and have much food in the field for celebrating with his men.

25:5     
- David sent messengers to greet Nabal in his own name, which was well known (I Samuel 18:30).
- David was the hero who killed Goliath; he was not an unknown vagabond looking for a handout.

25:6    
- They were to greet Nabal and make reference to his comfortable and secure life in prosperity.

- David sent his blessings of peace on him personally, on his family, and to all that Nabal owned.

25:7    
- David openly admits his knowledge of the sheep shearing; he deals in a straightforward manner.

He then informs and/or reminds Nabal of the honest care he had shown his shepherds and sheep.

25:8     
- Having been totally honest, David knows the men of Nabal will be able to confirm his integrity.         

- He reminds Nabal he is having his most lucrative day of the year, and he asks for some supplies.

- He calls his men the servants of Nabal for their past service, and he reverences him as his father.

25:9     
-  The ten young men David sent did exactly as he requested, then they waited for Nabal’s answer.

The INSULT  (10-13)

25:10   
-  Nabal, perversely, odiously, and evilly insulted the name of David and his father with ridicule.

- He called David a servant, though anointed king; and he charged him with rebellion against Saul.

- These are “fighting words,” as natural men and the world think. And David for once does also.

25:11  
- Nabal ridiculed taking food from his workers and giving it to bums he had no knowledge of.

25:12   
-The young men brought Nabal’s insulting response to David, a man of war and anointed king.

25:13   
- David responded as royalty should and would in such cases, and takes his tough men with him.

- These were some of the hardest and toughest men in Israel, whom he controlled (I Sam 22:1-2).

- Consider the wonderful character of David in controlling and leading such a group of men.

- Hopefully we do not need to hear the Hebrew word for “stuff” to assist our understanding!

The CHOICE  (14-20)

25:14   
- One of Nabal’s servants told Abigail how rudely Nabal had treated the messengers from David.

25:15  
- The young man told Abigail the good and honest treatment they had received from David’s men.

25:16   
- The young man further described the security and protection they felt and received from the men.

25:17   
- He then exhorted Abigail to do something, for he was sure there would be revenge for the insult.

- He witnessed the content and spirit of Nabal’s insults; he was sure David would seek revenge.

- He confessed he did not go to Nabal to confirm David, because of Nabal’s obnoxious character.

- A son of Belial is a man so wicked he is called a son of the devil, or Belial, as evil personified.

25:18   
- Abigail packs a nice lunch for a large group of men and has it put on asses to carry it to David.

- She reacts quickly. She is of “good understanding” (25:3); she didn’t have to think long about it.

- In dealing with an angry person, speed is of the essence (Ps 119:60; Prov 6:1-6; Matt 5:23-26).

- Strife can easily grow with time, as bitterness tends to grow and spread (Heb 12:15; II Tim 2:17).

- Gifts do work to soften the anger of an adversary for most offences (Pr 17:8; 18:16; 19:6; 21:14).

- Practical and utilitarian gifts are not good for love and romance! Get creative past parched corn!

25:19   
- She told her servants to take off with the present for David, as she intended to follow behind.

- It was customary, and very wise, to send a gift in advance to turn away anger (Pr 18:16; 21:14).

- Jacob used this method to great success in preparing the heart of Esau for him (Gen 32:13-21).

-  Note and remember the last sentence of this verse, for here is our illustration of I Peter 3:6.

- Nabal was wrong, and his error was going to cost his life and those of others. She was right!

- She did not tell her husband, for she was going against his thoughts, actions, and authority.

- Had she told him, he would have stopped her. She saved her family, Nabal, and David from evil.

25:20   
- By the providence of God, she was able to meet David before he could recognize and avoid her.

- In your dealings with strained relationships, including spouses, trust God for the circumstances.

The PETITION  (21-31)

25:21  
- David, true to his passionate nature, was very angry for the rudeness he received for kindness.

- Such rash anger was not characteristic of the sweet psalmist of Israel, but there were exigencies.

- Though anointed king of Israel, he was not so yet; therefore, his angry plot is excessive and sin.

-  If he had carried out his intentions, he would have been guilty of murder and self-revenge.

- In order to understand the man she was confronting, please grasp the full anger of David (25:13).

- David was a man of war, a stranger to Abigail, and furious, with justifiable wrath against Nabal.

25:22  
- The narrator, God the Holy Spirit, wants us to grasp the full import of David’s raging passion.

- He swears in the name of the LORD against Nabal, which shows the seriousness of his rage.

- A sinful oath is no more binding on a man than the sin; repentance includes the sin and the oath.
- His oath says, “If I leave a single man of this place alive, let God spare the lives of my enemies.”

- He intends in great rage to make Nabal and his house an example to those who would insult him.

- Those that piss against the wall are men, a figure of speech for that day, as women cannot do it.

25:23  
- When Abigail sees David, she enters into the most forceful and eloquent appeal ever recorded!

- She quickly gets down physically all the way to the ground in bowing reverence to honor David.

- Remember, this woman was beautiful, very intelligent, and very rich. Yet she knew to get down!

-  Much marital strife and bitterness could be saved, if wives would get down off their high horse!
- There was no regard for dignity or gracefulness to make an impression. There was total humility!

25:24  
- She took full responsibility for the transgression and accepted any consequences he might give.

- Calling herself a handmaid (servant) twice, she begs that the condemned might speak to him.

- She begins addressing him as lord, though he is neither her king nor her husband, but a soldier.

- When dealing with a strained relationship, call the matter what it is – sin. Don’t whitewash it.

- Use gentle words; beg, plead, pray, beseech; he is not your partner or brother to rebuke boldly.

-  Ask for permission to speak rather than presuming on it, which shows humility and reverence.

25:25   
- Again she calls him lord, while begging him to ignore her husband, whom she relates to Belial!

- She took her husband’s name and expounded it as meaning folly, which she ascribed to him!

-  When dealing with an offended party, ridicule your error and show your contempt of yourself.

-  She professed that things would have been different, if she had encountered the messengers.

25:26   
- She swore in the name of the LORD that it was by His providence that she had met him first.

-  She detailed two sins the LORD kept him from – murder (Ex 20:13) and revenge (Lev 19:18).

- She continued to call him lord and raised him in a subordinate position to God in her oath.

- She used God’s providence to turn his wrath from insignificant Nabal to all his real enemies.

25:27
- At this point in her petition, Abigail identified the much food as her personal gift to David, which he could give to the men with him in lieu of their original request to Nabal.

- Observe that she continued to address him reverently with “my lord” over and over again.

25:28   
- Abigail took up her guilt again and begged for David to forgive his lowly handmaid her trespass!

-  In settling personal conflicts, after confessing your faults, ask for forgiveness to shift the burden.

- She reminded him of the certain blessing of God upon him and his house to minimize the insult.

- She praised him nobly for fighting the Lord’s battles, and she praised him for his virtuous soul!

25:29   
- She then turned his attention to his real enemy – Saul – who had tried to take his life, not Nabal!

- With glorious eloquence, she described David as bound tightly by love from the LORD his God!

- And she condemned David’s enemies as being hurled away by the same LORD, as out of a sling.

25:30  
- She reminded David that God would certainly bless him, as He had promised, and Israel knew.

- Again, calling David her lord, she reminded him that God would make him the ruler over Israel.

25:31   
- Abigail, bringing a conclusion, beseeched her lord to consider the preservation of his innocence.

- She had already praised the LORD for keeping David from sinning, now she considered his soul.

- Unnecessary murder and personal revenge would have grieved and offended David’s pure heart.

- Get the final words! “When the LORD makes my lord a glorious king, please remember me.”

- There is no way any man but the most wicked would stay his course and not fall in love with her.

The RESPONSE  (32-35)

25:32  
- David praised the LORD for sending such a wise, helpful, (and beautiful) messenger to stop him!

- Stop, reader! Remember and consider this passionate man was in a rage just minutes before this!

25:33   
- David praised her and her advice for keeping him from sinning in murder and personal revenge.

- A man as great as David, and very angry to boot, quickly accepted both Abigail and her advice.

- These are the guaranteed results of approaching offended authority with the wisdom of Abigail.

25:34   
- He praised Abigail that her quick response had saved her and her household from certain harm.

- Again, for the value of the lesson, we are reminded how angry David was when met by Abigail.

25:35  
- David took the present she had brought, which he needed, and gave it to the men with him.

- He told Abigail she could go to her house in peace and safety, for he would not do her any harm.

-  He told Abigail she had convinced him of his foolish rage, and he had accepted her as well.

- Wise women approaching their husbands in the same reverent spirit will also be accepted!

The JUDGMENT  (36-38)

25:36  
- When Abigail returned home, she found Nabal seriously drunk and carousing like a rich king.

-  He could not spare any food for God’s anointed man, but he could eat and drink like a glutton!

- She still did not tell him anything of her “trip to town,” for she would wait until he was sober.

25:37   
-  In the morning, when he was sober, Abigail told him all she had done the day before with David.

- His heart died within him – though living, he was dead – he lost all hope of peace and prosperity.

- He became inconsolable in fear, grief, envy, and worry. He was senseless to life around him.

- How close had he come to a quick death? His few sheepshearers could not match David’s men!

- How could he be sure that David would not yet come? For men do not reverse passion so easily!

- How could he be sure that David would not come for Abigail? Now David knew his best asset!

- How could he be at peace knowing his wife had shown her superiority before his whole house!

- How could he have peace knowing that upon his demise his wife and estate would be David’s!

25:38  
- Ten days later the LORD did intervene supernaturally and kill Nabal, to leave Abigail a widow!

- Wisdom leaves vengeance to the LORD. He will repay! He does not take as long as some think.

The PROPOSAL  (39-40)

25:39
- David praised the LORD at the report, for he understood that God had taken vengeance Himself!
- David rejoiced at the judgment of his enemy, knowing it was divine judgment and for plain sin.

- Not wasting any time after a fantastic first date, David corresponded with Abigail for marriage!

25:40 
- David sent his servants back to Carmel to tell Abigail that he would marry her and comfort her.

- While times were different than our liberated generation, Abigail had already encouraged him.

The ACCEPTANCE  (41-42)

25:41   
- Consider the continued humility and meekness of this wonderful woman as she gladly accepted!

- Speaking to merely David’s servants, Abigail offered to settle for washing their feet as a servant.

- David did not even come personally, but she treated his servants as she would have treated him.

- Abigail is an intelligent, beautiful, rich widow! But she shows not one degree of haughtiness!

- This woman showed more humility and reverence than women today can even imagine!

25:42    
- She did not waste any time. David had called. She took her five servants and went to meet him!

- She didn’t seek extensive courting or dating; she became his wife; praise the wisdom of Abigail!

- She had a rich estate with a large household; he was hiding in the wilderness; she went anyway!

The CONCLUSION  (43-44)

25:43   
- David added to his stable of wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel. He was now a polygamous man.

25:44   
- David’s first wife, Michael, was given by her father, Saul, to another man, in David’s absence.


Some Lesson

1. Wives should obey their husbands, for this is the ordinance of God; but it is limited short of sin (I Peter 3:6).

2. Disobeying a husband is a serious matter, but it should be done when God’s clear commandments are at stake.

3. A man is blessed to have a wife who can remind of his duties to God with the humble reverence of Abigail.

4. Confronting an angry, bitter, or sinning man is a difficult and perplexing matter, but Abigail did it perfectly.

5. Restoring and maximizing a marriage should be a regular goal of godly wives, and Abigail shows it perfectly.

6. If a wife were to apply the humility, reverence, and wisdom of Abigail, she would have a perfect marriage.

7. The vile sins of pride, selfishness, and stubbornness guarantee the perpetual loss and pain of most women.

8. No matter what your marital situation, put your trust in the Lord and do things His way for great blessing.

9. The methods of Abigail appear extreme, bizarre, and dangerous in our perverse generation, but God endorses.

10. For a woman to have a totally adoring and devoted husband, she needs to win his heart as Abigail shows.

11. The spirit and actions of Abigail should pervade the thoughts, words, and conduct of every wife every day.

12. When she fails or senses the marriage slipping, a wife should determine where she erred and start over.

13. Abigail’s conduct won the day and saved her household, but the spirit is God’s plan for wives every day.

Source: http://www.letgodbetrue.com

A Chinese bride in traditional bridal gown.

Abigail’s Advice to Wives

Ladies, I write you with a confident and joyful heart. I know what you need. I want to help you be the greatest women on earth, pleasing God and men, and securing the praise of both husband and children. I want you to have the happy and fulfilled lives God intends for you to have. I want to help you be the daughters of Sarah, doing very well in your role as the wife of a man. The Lord has blessed me, and I want to share that blessing with you.

Read I Samuel 25. Please read it again. Then read the chapter commentary here, which explains the holy history. http://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-wisdom-of-abigail.html

I know you sometimes find yourself with an angry, bitter, disagreeable, harsh, or sinning husband. What can you do? You know the Bible tells you to submit; you know that submitting to a froward husband is pleasing to God. You know you should reverence him, in spite of his faults. Yet, you want to restore the marriage, correct his faults, or seek his needed approval for some matter. How do you balance and accomplish these contradictory goals? I truly do understand.

With God’s blessing, I once turned a very noble and powerful stranger, who was in a justifiable and passionate rage, into a courting benefactor in a few minutes! He fully accepted both my correction and me with my first attempt. He married me just a few days later! If I could do that, surely you can win your husband from some minor marital interruption. I will teach you my inspired and wise secrets, and I guarantee the results! Though I was attractive, intelligent, and rich, I did not use any of these advantages to impress and win him. I used simple Bible wisdom, which you can use just as well. If your soul, heart, and marriage are empty, here is the solution. May the Lord be with you.

The only things hindering any Christian woman from being the greatest wife on earth are pride, selfishness, and stubbornness. Success as a woman has nothing to do with looks, intelligence, or money. It has everything to do with your attitude and spirit, your willingness to forget all your ideas and those of this dysfunctional generation, and follow only the Bible. If you want to be great and have a great marriage, humble yourself and do these things. So sure am I of these rules, which can be done today by any committed woman, I guarantee your success with any ten of the twenty!

These rules apply anytime you sense your marriage is suffering. These restorative efforts could be used once a quarter just for good measure! Whether seeking to restore marital bliss, correcting a fault on his part, or needing to request something unusual, these rules work. Instead of wondering if Jacqueline Kennedy or Jane Fonda used them, both of whom were losers as wives, remember that I used them and was married to the greatest man on earth with only a few minutes effort! Sacrificed to a son of Belial at 14, I was King David’s best wife at 23! Now the LORD bless you!

1. Now is the time. If there is a problem, work on it immediately! Haste does not make waste in relationships! Bitterness can and will grow, if you let a matter fester (Heb 12:15). Sincerity is shown by speed. A day to think about apologizing proves insubordination and rebellion. I went after David as quickly as I could (25:18,23,42). I did not delay at all in an important relationship (Ps 119:60; Prov 6:1-6; Matt 5:23-26). I had to correct the situation before it got out of hand. You must do the same. Do not let the sun go down on a marital problem!

2. Prepare a gift. It worked for me (25:18-19,27,35). A gift can have a marvelous effect in preparing a man to listen to you (Pr 17:18; 18:16; 19:6; 21:14), so send it first, as Jacob did to prepare Esau’s heart (Gen 32:13-21). And do better than some practical or utilitarian gift. Get creative. Make or do something personal and affectionate for him. Let it be something he has not seen in a good while from you. Get him something you know he has wanted but would not buy. Fix the best meal of the year. Get his full attention before you even show up for the encounter!

3. Trust the LORD for the circumstances. No one can arrange perfect conditions; something will always go contrary to your expectations. Make reasonable efforts to be alone with him, when you will not be interrupted and his mind is not on other matters. Make sure he is not preoccupied with other matters, when you speak to him. But with your faith in the right place, you will not be moved if circumstances are not perfect; you will remember God is in control. When I set out to meet David, it was unlikely I would find him in time, but the LORD directed our paths (25:20)!

4. Get down physically. And do it quickly and boldly, with full sincerity. You would have done it when courting or dating (or you should have), so it should not be a problem now. Meet him in the driveway. Surprise him at his office. Be waiting in the parking lot for him. Most women would be amazed at the response of their husband, if they would get off their high horse and kneel beside his chair. He jumps up for his boss; soldiers leap to salute a superior officer; and Secret Service men will take a bullet for the President. There is no harm in showing some humility, reverence, and affection by your bodily actions. It was the first thing I did when I met David (25:23,41). By this stage you have already made a big impression. Believe it!

5. Call him lord. Can’t do it? Why not? Could you call your father, sir? Could you call your mother, mam? Could you call the head of our nation, Mr. President? What about the head of your life and home? Call him lord, or something similar. He is your lord! Our holy example, Sarah, even thought about her husband under the title of lord (Gen 18:12; I Pet 3:6)! What name do you use in your thoughts? I called David, lord, 14 times in three minutes! This is not a suggestion from the Kinsey Report; this is the Lord’s description and illustration of great women before you. If you can’t use lord or something similar, you will never realize full happiness in your marriage. It is that simple.

6. Take full responsibility yourself. It does not matter who is mostly at fault at this stage. Take the full guilt for the difficulties and problems between you. I had nothing to do with David’s great anger; it was all the fault of my foolish and wicked husband, Nabal. But I took full responsibility for it without any suggestion from him, and I could see it softened David’s heart immediately (25:24). Your husband will admit his own faults and justify you, if you are quick to take all the blame yourself. Be sincere about it, and your problems are over. Believe it!

7. Call your faults sin. Don’t try to whitewash anything. Ridicule your mistakes. Admit you are a witch and fool sometimes! Why pretend you are something special, when you are not? If you will do the name calling, he will be defending you shortly! Tell him you have sinned against God and him (25:24). He will like it. Hold back nothing. Be specific, and admit your guilt for all of it. List every fault and sin you can remember. Repeat yourself. Bury your reputation in faults. Cheat here, and you may lose the night!

8. Call yourself a servant. I used the term handmaid, a servant girl, even though I had many of them myself (25:24)! I used it six times in three minutes! If you think you are much more than that, you have not learned the secret of the right spirit and what you were created for (Gen 2:18; I Cor 11:9; Eph 5:33). Use any similar term; just get the right message across; you are nothing, and you know it! Your role is to help and please him, not teach him or extort him into helping you! Put yourself below him, where God put you. He will lift you up in due time. Believe it!

9. Beg, plead, and pray. He does not have an obligation to hear you. You do not have rights; you have responsibilities. You are not partners; you are his wife. Ask for permission to speak; beg him to listen to your sad story (25:24). Manifest your humility. Admit and exalt his superiority. Wait until you have his approval and permission to continue. Gentle and soft answers like this will break his bones (Pr 15:1; 18:23; 25:15; Eccl 10:4).

10. Confess your failures. Admit you are not a good wife. Admit there are many better women available, who would be happy married to him, who would treat him better. It’s very true! Your bitter and selfish perspective has poisoned and tainted your vision. Open up with your faults as submissively and clearly as you do when confessing them to the Lord. Hold nothing back. Show true humility. I began with assuming guilt for Nabal (25:24).

11. Do all in the name of the LORD! The most powerful leverage you have is his faith (25:26). A wise woman will never forget this. The greatest authority in his life is the Lord Jesus Christ. Remind him that your marriage, the problems, and this very encounter were arranged by a holy God, Who is watching the proceedings. Thank the Lord for this opportunity to correct your faults in his hearing. Thank the Lord for him, his position, and your conviction to serve him, in his hearing! Thank the Lord for letting you marry him. And remember, all these thanksgivings and references to the Lord are done before your husband. Let him hear you invoke his Captain’s name!

12. Thank him for mercy. After all, he could have, likely should have, divorced you. Tell me you deserve it, and thank him for being so merciful. Thank him for marrying you, when there were so many better women around and wanting a husband like him. Admit his right to be angry and hate you. Tell him that you would be disgusted, if the roles were reversed. Thank him for putting up with you for so long, for overlooking so much, for continuing to be a good husband in spite of such a horrible wife. Recognize and tell him that he could have treated you worse (25:26).

13. Speak of your gift. Tell him it was from you to him (25:27). Describe the pleasure you had preparing it for him. Help him fully believe you love serving him, and your purpose in life was fulfilled doing something for him. Confess your failure at not doing it more often. Tell him you should and will do much more of this for him in the future.

14. Ask for forgiveness. This is very important, as it shifts the outcome of the meeting from you to him. If you have done your part thus far, he will forgive you immediately, take the blame himself, confess his own faults, and ask for your forgiveness! This will not happen if you have withheld any specific faults, justified yourself, or were the least defensive, haughty, or critical. Do not end the session until you meekly, submissively, and pleadingly, say, “Will you please forgive me?” What could David do (25:28)?

15. Praise him. Every man has many features that can be praised. It is your job to identify them and praise him. Granted, my job at this point might have been easier than yours (25:28), but I could find good things about your husband in minutes, and so can other women. Why are you so critical, negative, and wrong? Flattery is okay in marriage. Read the Song of Solomon. Praise his manliness, hard work, intelligence, body, and lovemaking.

16. Elevate his duties. Tell your husband he has many more important matters than dealing with a childish and foolish wife (25:25). Admit and ridicule the pitiful fact that he must help the woman created for his help. Let him know that your folly should not ruin his life. Tell him he is the glory of God, and you are not. Tell him you are his glory, but you have failed to give him glory! Prophesy his success and blessing by God with, or without, you. Tell him he doesn’t need you to be great. Tell him he is great without you.

17. Apologize for tempting him. Confess your faults as worthy of his anger (25:24,28). Tell him that his temptations are because of your contention and strife in the home. Apologize for making him think about other women, due to your odious character and lack of constant romance. Admit that there are attractive and better women everywhere for him to consider. Repent for driving him to the wilderness or rooftop to escape your irritation. Admit that you have made his duties before God that much more difficult. Promise to do better in the future for his sake.

18. Promise him God’s blessing. Admit you can see God’s blessings on him, and beg for some of his own mercy to be on you. Admit God made the world for him, and he is the head and purpose of the home. Remind him God deals directly with him more than with you, as you are to learn from him. Ask him not to forget you, as God makes him greater and greater. These were my final words, and they were the straw that broke the David’s resistance (25:31)!

19. Obey any request immediately. Your character and sincerity are at stake (25:36,41). Were your words sincere and true? A wise man will test you. He will be watching your next few moves. Relish the opportunity! Exceed his expectations! Do not think! Act! Do it cheerfully, fully, and passionately, right now! And do it with style! And keep it up tomorrow, for he will be wondering how long the new you is going to last. Don’t disappoint him again.

20. Follow with extended lovemaking. If you do not know what this means, read the Song of Solomon. If you still are at a loss, read Proverbs 5:19; 7:10-18; I Corinthians 7:1-5; and Hebrews 13:4, in light of the Song of Solomon. This should not be a quickie, unless there are severe time restraints, or your encounter has worked better than you intended! My application of this rule was to marry him (25:41-42)! Now the blessing of our Lord be with you!

Source: http://www.letgodbetrue.com/index.php