READ 2 Samuel 21-22
Twice in the OT the phrase “the beginning of barley harvest”
occurs—here and in Ruth 1:22. It’s interesting how different these occasions
are. For Ruth, who was returning to Bethlehem with a bitter Naomi, the
beginning of barley harvest was a harbinger of the coming redemption of the
Lord through Boaz. Here in 2 Samuel the 7 sons of Saul are given to the
Gibeonites to atone for Saul’s sin against them. They were then put to death at
the beginning of the barley harvest…hardly a time of great rejoicing for David
and the people. But the reason for this was so that God would relent of the
3-year famine he had brought against Israel. So, in reality, both mentions of
the barley harvest are indicators of times that God is about to turn the
fortunes of His people for good.
Do you have a time like that in your life? Is there a
particular time of year or a date in your life that brings to mind a particular
moving of God in your life? Reminders of God’s mercy and grace are good things
for us, whether it’s a place or a time. Let them be to us cause for worship of
the God who works all things after the counsel of His will.
Father: Thank you
that you do not leave us in the depths of despair. Thank you that your mercy
and grace come to us in the deep valley and bring us out of the depths to a new
and fresh love and praise of you. Help us to remember all your faithfulness to
us and humble ourselves in gratitude to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment