Peace and Injustice

Peace and InjusticeTwo Rednecks Get Owned by Lady Wisdom

1 Samuel 25

The Need for Lady WisdomProverbs 8:1-11 (NLT)Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! (NASB) …she cries out: “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men:O naive ones, understand craftiness; O fools, understand wisdom!(NLT)I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right,for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception!”

“Choose my instruction rather than silver,and [my] knowledge rather than pure gold.For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.Nothing you desire can compare with it!”

Proverbs 8:27I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. …I was the architect at his side.And how happy I was with the world he created;how I rejoiced with the human family!

v. 34-36Joyful are those who listen to me…For whoever finds me finds lifeand receives favor from the Lord.But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.”

DAVID’S TEMPER-TANTRUM 2 Brutes & 1 Wise Babe!

Abigail: beautiful & wise. Nabal: harsh, evil, wealthy. David: young, alone, a fugitive,

with 600 killers!

1 Samuel 25:1-3 Now Samuel died, and all Israel gathered for his funeral…Then David moved down to the wilderness of Maon. There was a wealthy man from Maon who owned property near the town of Carmel. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, and it was sheep-shearing time. This man’s name was Nabal, and his wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beautiful woman. But Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, was crude and mean in all his dealings.

DAVID’S TEMPER-TANTRUM 2 Brutes & 1 Wise Babe!

Abigail: beautiful & wise. Nabal: harsh, evil, wealthy. David: young, alone, a

fugitive, with 600 killers!

25:4-9 When David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep, he sent ten of his young men to Carmel with this message for Nabal: “Peace and prosperity to you, your family, and everything you own! I am told that it is sheep-shearing time. While your shepherds stayed among us near Carmel, we never harmed them, and nothing was ever stolen from them. Ask your own men, and they will tell you this is true.

So would you be kind to us, since we have come at a time of celebration? Please share any provisions you might have on hand with us and with your friend David.” 9 David’s young men gave this message to Nabal in David’s name, and they waited for a reply.

Who need provisions!

A Fair Request!

Not a handout.

Nabal benefitted.

He was rich!

DAVID’S TEMPER-TANTRUM 2 Brutes & 1 Wise Babe! The Brutes Get Brutal!

Nabal is Incensed!

25:10-11“Who is this fellow David?” Nabal sneered to the young men. “Who does this son of Jesse think he is? There are lots of servants these days who run away from their masters. Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I’ve slaughtered for my shearers and give it to a band of outlaws who come from who knows where?”

DAVID’S TEMPER-TANTRUM 2 Brutes & 1 Wise Babe! The Brutes Get Brutal!

Nabal is Incensed! David is Angry!

1 Samuel 25:12-13So David’s young men returned and told him what Nabal had said. “Get your swords!” was David’s reply as he strapped on his own. Then 400 men started off with David, and 200 remained behind to guard their equipment.

DAVID’S TEMPER-TANTRUM 2 Brutes & 1 Wise Babe! The Brutes Get Brutal! Meet Lady Wisdom…

1 Samuel 25:14-17Meanwhile, one of Nabal’s servants went to Abigail and told her, “David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed insults at them. These men have been very good to us, and we never suffered any harm from them. Nothing was stolen from us the whole time they were with us. In fact, day and night they were like a wall of protection to us and the sheep. You need to know this and figure out what to do, for there is going to be trouble for our master and his whole family. He’s so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!”

25:18-19Abigail wasted no time. She quickly gathered 200 loaves of bread, two wineskins full of wine, five sheep that had been slaughtered, nearly a bushel of roasted grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 fig cakes. She packed them on donkeys and said to her servants, “Go on ahead. I will follow you shortly.” But she didn’t tell her husband Nabal what she was doing.

DAVID’S TEMPER-TANTRUM 2 Brutes & 1 Wise Babe! The Brutes Get Brutal! Meet Lady Wisdom…

She heads straight into a chainsaw!

She knew she would win!

1 Samuel 25:20-22As she was riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming toward her. David had just been saying, “A lot of good it did to help this fellow. We protected his flocks in the wilderness, and nothing he owned was lost or stolen. But he has repaid me evil for good. May God strike me and kill me if even one man of his household is still alive tomorrow morning!”

1 Samuel 25:22 (KJV) So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

THE ANATOMY OF ANGER The emotion of retaliation.

“Anger is an emotion related to one's perception of having been offended or wronged and a tendency to undo that wrongdoing by retaliation.”-Wikipedia

Nabals’ Rights• 25:11 Who does he

think he is!? Should I take my bread…!?”

• 25:3 Nabal was crude and mean in all his dealings…

David’s Rights• 25:13 “Nothing

was ever stolen!”Perceived Injustice



Nabals’ Rights• 25:11 Who does he

think he is!? Should I take my bread…!?”

• 25:3 Nabal was crude and mean in all his dealings…

David’s Rights• 25:13 “Nothing

was ever stolen!”Perceived Injustice

An Argument

Nobody Listens

Both Were RIGHT

Both Were WRONG

Who WINS?



Nabal’s emotional retaliation

• 25:10-11“Should I take my bread …and give it to a band of outlaws!?”

David’s emotional retaliation

• 25:13 …400 men started off with David

• “… [none left] that pisseth against the wall!”

Pass

ive

Agg

ress

ive

Perceived Injustice

THE ANATOMY OF ANGER The emotion of retaliation. Incredibly destructive.

Nabal’s Destruction?

• DEAD!

David’s Destruction?

• Premeditated MURDER!

• From Outlaw to Terrorist!

Health

• Hypertension• Stress• Heart

problems• Immune

system• Substance

abuse

Social

• Retaliation• Jail• Alienation• Isolation• Trust issues• Job loss• Injuries

Emotional

• Fear• Resentment• Abused /

abusive• Withdrawal• Pathologies• Addictions /

Compulsions

THE ANATOMY OF ANGER The emotion of retaliation. Incredibly destructive. Temporary (or worse)

insanity. Always leads to regretful

words & behaviors.

Nabal’s Destruction?

• DEAD!

David’s Destruction?

• Premeditated MURDER!

• From Outlaw to Terrorist!

• “Joyful are those who listen to me…• For whoever finds me finds life…• But those who miss me injure themselves.• All who hate me love death.”

Listen to WISDOM (Prov. 8:34-36)

LADY WISDOM MAKES PEACE Proactive & Aggressive

1 Samuel 25:23When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him.

Isaiah 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness is quiet confidence forever.


REAL Work: Planting/Reap


Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.Jas. 3:18

Jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Jas. 3:15

Am

bass

ador

s of

pea

ce

Opponents of peace

Isaiah 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness is quiet confidence forever.


Real Work: Plant & Reap The Work of God on Earth!


The Mission of the Messiah

• For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us… His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Source of anger:spiritual hostility.

• Why are the nations so angry? The kings of the earth take their stand …against the Lord and against His Messiah. Psalms 2:1-2

The Great News!Peace with God!

• This is the message of Good News… that there is peace with God through Jesus the Messiah… Acts 10:36


Isaiah 2:4 He will judge between the nations…And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war.


Real Work: Plant & Reap The Work of God on Earth!

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Ephesians 2:17

He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;


Real Work: Planting & Reaping The Work of God on Earth! Our Most Privileged Work

on Earth!


Romans 14:19So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

Romans 10:15-18Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!" …for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report? …Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”

Matthew 5:9God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

Eph. 6:15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

LADY WISDOM MAKES PEACE Proactive: averts trouble. Works with David, not Nabal.

“Most likely to succeed…”1 Samuel 25:23-28 She fell at his feet and said, “… I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests.”

LADY WISDOM MAKES PEACE Proactive: averts trouble. Works with David, not Nabal.

“Most likely to succeed…” To win ONE ends the

conflict.

1 Samuel 25:23-28 She fell at his feet and said, “… I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests.”

But she didn’t tell her husband Nabal what she was doing.

LADY WISDOM MAKES PEACE Proactive: averts trouble. Works with David, not Nabal. A servant’s attitude.

“My pride is not important!”1 Samuel 25:23-28 She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say…”

Perceived Injustice


“My pride is not important…” “Kick me, if you must!”1 Samuel 25:23-28

She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say…”


“My pride is not important…” “Go ahead & kick me!” “You are very significant &

highly respected in my eyes!”

1 Samuel 25:23-28 And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men. Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles. And you have not done wrong throughout your entire life.”

Infusion of Love Feelings

LADY WISDOM MAKES PEACE Proactive: averts trouble. Works with David, not Nabal. A servant’s attitude. Get it together with God!

He is so good to you!

1 Samuel 25:23-31 “…The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles…“Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch!”

LADY WISDOM MAKES PEACE Proactive: averts trouble. Works with David, not Nabal. A servant’s attitude. Get it together with God!

He is so good to you!

Anger Gratitude

Reason 99

….

Reason 1

Reason 2

Reason 1

LADY WISDOM MAKES PEACE Proactive: averts trouble. Works with David, not Nabal. A servant’s attitude. Get it together with God! BTW: you’ve got problems!1 Samuel 25:23-31

“…But the lives of your enemies will disappear like stones shot from a sling! Ouch!That’s

gotta hurt!

“When the Lord has done all he promised and has made you leader of Israel, don’t let this be a blemish on your record. Then your conscience won’t have to bear the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance.”

The Peace of Lady Wisdom

Peace-Makers Are: Proactive & averting trouble Strategic: Wins David. A servant’s attitude. You need God! Confront the problems.

Enablers Are: Passive & avoiding trouble Not strategic: thrashes! A selfish attitude. You need Me! Afraid to confront.

WinnersLosers

“You cannot hurt me!”

“Please don’t hurt me!”

Peac

e-M

aker

sEnablers


“You cannot hurt me!”

“Please don’t hurt me!”

Peac

e-M

aker

sEnablers


Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 6:7 Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

The Rest of the Story 1 Samuel 25:32 (NLT)

David replied to Abigail, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today!

1 Samuel 25:36-38 (NLT) When Abigail arrived home, she found that Nabal was throwing a big party and was celebrating like a king. He was very drunk, so she didn’t tell him anything about her meeting with David until dawn the next day.

In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him what had happened. As a result he had a stroke, and he lay paralyzed on his bed like a stone. About ten days later, the Lord struck him, and he died.

1 Samuel 25:39 (NLT) Then David sent messengers to Abigail to ask her to become his wife.

How Do You HandleYOUR Perceived Injustice?

Two Reactions to Perceived Injustice

Nabal Authority Love Authority

The Need for Anger Management Our emotions must be handled with care.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 15:13 (NASB) 13 A joyful heart makes a good face,But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

Hebrews 12:15 (NLT) …Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

The Need for Anger Management Our emotions must be handled with care. Anger (and bitterness) will destroy a life.

Proverbs 19:3 (NIV) A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord. Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NASB)

9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.

The Need for Anger Management Our emotions must be handled with care. Anger (and bitterness) will destroy a life. We live in a cruel & inhumane world.

Romans 1:28-31 (NIV) Since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind…They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant …heartless, ruthless…

The Need for Anger Management Our emotions must be handled with care. Anger (and bitterness) will destroy a life. We live in a cruel & inhumane world.

The world system has few good answers!By and large Jesus is serving up counter-order wisdom here, not wisdom to be derived from observing nature or human nature, but wisdom to be derived from revelation, from listening to God and watching how God works in the world for its redemption.Ben Witherington III, Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary

Peace and Injustice

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