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anniflamma · 2 months

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Headcanons! Could I please ask for your headcanons on how David would have been like if Jonathan had lived!

(or, for the sake of not deviating the whole story altoghether bc either way David was meant to be king at some point. What if like, Jonathan had gone into hidding like what happened to Mephibosheth and later on met with David to tell him that, hey, he's actually alive so :D. Honestly im just asking bc the idea of Jonathan teaching Jedediah/Solomon how to court and judge others got stuck to my head when I was writting my Testament of Solomon rewritte and that got me to think even more like, would Jonathan get along with Abigail, would David had stopped seeking out women to marry if Jonathan had run away with him, would Absalom or the other childre of David had confided secrets in him more than with his father because they trusted him more, or would the court had tried to make Jonathan guilty of a coup at some point, maybe a lot of times, due to his past royal background, and ofc how would Jonathan have raised his son?)

Sorry if this was long ᓚᘏᗢ boop!

You are giving me food and being able to talk about it!!! :D

My headcanon would be if Jonathan had lived, his and David's relationship would have continued to be romantic and supportive!

I think Jonathan would first go into hiding and try to find his son first. Mephibosheth would still become disabled due to all the chaos when the news comes to the palace. But I don't think they would go into hiding for too long. Abner was supportive to Saul’s family first, heck, he probably would see David as a threat towards Jonathan instead.

And when they reunite, Jonathan would have either stepped down from his role as the next king or maximized David's status, so they would essentially be two kings ruling one kingdom. He did give an oath and his title as king to David when they last met each other, so it would make sense that he kept his word.

David would still pursue other marriages for political alliances, likewise Jonathan too. However, I do believe that David wouldn't take Michal back because the only reason why he forced her to be his wife again was that he pretty much wanted to secure his political position as a king. Having Jonathan there on his side already supporting him, it wouldn't be necessary to marry her. All his other wives, I think he would still marry them for political reasons. Bathsheba though… I don't think he would seek her out… Or maybe David would. For me, he is a bit promiscuous. But I do like the idea that he wouldn't be as interested if Jonathan were still around.

There is a scene in The Prince's Psalm where David and Jonathan talk to each other about their boundaries in their relationship. Jonathan wants children, but he doesn't want to pick a random woman only to discard her after giving birth to a child, he wants to honor his children's mother by marrying her and taking care of her. But also secured David by saying that it's okay for him as well to marry and love another woman too, but ended with the decision that they are not allowed to take any male lovers.

It sounds fun that Jonathan would be friends with Abigail. Maybe they are two peas in a pod because David picked Abigail for love, unlike the other wives. And Abigail is the same "type" as Jonathan. That would be cute.

I do think that the majority of the royal drama would be more about people not trusting David. The second book of Samuel is just David getting rid of all his political enemies and marrying every high-royal-woman to secure his position. The reason why Saul's other family members, such as Jonathan's half-brothers, revolt against David is that they are the "true" line of the royal lineage. So if Jonathan was still in the picture and became king, then that drama of power wouldn't be so much on the nose.

Absalom and David's other children might have indeed confided in Jonathan, finding solace and other stuff when David wasn't emotionally available. Especially when Amnon attacks Tamar and everything just crumbles. Maybe the situation would look different when David forgives Absalom for killing Amnon, and by having another parental figure, maybe Absalom wouldn't decide to revolt against his father?

And if Absalom still decided to revolt against David, Mephibosheth would still be left behind in safety in the royal palace. And I don't think that the servant Ziba would be able to trick David into "disowning" Mephibosheth when Absalom takes over the palace. I don't think Jonathan would ever let that happen, but also David and Mephibosheth's relationship would be different in a way. I have a headcanon that David is very overprotective of Mephibosheth but he also puts him on a pedestal, so when someone lies about him, David immediately believes that lie because he actually doesn't really know who Mephibosheth actually is.

But that is all I have to say for now! I probably missed some thoughts I would like to bring up. But my brain is empty at the moment!

#asks #rambling time!#david and jonathan #the prince's psalm #david/jonathan #Mephibosheth #absalom #headcanon

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 3 months

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The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

and Hezron the father of Ram.

4 Ram was the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

and Nahshon the father of Salmon.

5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth,

and Obed the father of Jesse.

6 Jesse was the father of David the king.

David the king was the father of Solomon, by her who had been the wife of Uriah.

7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

and Abijah the father of Asa.

8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

and Joram the father of Uzziah.

9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amon,

and Amon the father of Josiah.

11 Josiah was the father of Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were exiled to Babylon.

12 And after they were brought to Babylon,

Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,

and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel.

13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud,

Abiud the father of Eliakim,

and Eliakim the father of Azor.

14 Azor was the father of Zadok,

Zadok the father of Akim,

and Akim the father of Eliud.

15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar,

Eleazar the father of Matthan,

and Matthan the father of Jacob.

16 And Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the exile to Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the exile in Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way: After His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, had in mind to divorce her privately.

20 But while he thought on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for He who is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 Now all this occurred to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet, saying, 23 “A virgin shall be with child, and will bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is interpreted, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being awakened from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and remained with his wife, 25 and did not know her until she had given birth to her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS. — Matthew 1 | Modern English Version (MEV) The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. Cross References: Genesis 22:18; Genesis 25:19; Deuteronomy 22:23; Deuteronomy 24:1; Ruth 4:18; Ruth 4:20; 1 Samuel 1:20; 2 Samuel 7:12; 2 Samuel 11:27; 1 Kings 3:5; 1 Kings 11:43; 1 Kings 15:24; 2 Kings 24:14; 1 Chronicles 2:12; 1 Chronicles 3:14; Isaiah 7:14; Jeremiah 22:30; Jeremiah 27:20; Haggai 1:1; Matthew 16:16; Matthew 16:20; Matthew 27:17; Luke 1:31; Luke 2:7; Acts 5:19; Romans 1:2

#Jesus #Jesus' genealogy #Jesus' birth #Joseph #Mary #angel of the Lord #Matthew 1 #Gospel of Matthew #New Testament #MEV #Modern English Version Bible #Military Bible Association #Charisma House

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the-drokainian · 14 days

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‭Matthew 1:1-17 NIV‬

[1] This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: [2] Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, [3] Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, [4] Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, [5] Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, [6] and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, [7] Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, [8] Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, [9] Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, [10] Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, [11] and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. [12] After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, [13] Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, [14] Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, [15] Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, [16] and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. [17] Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

This is the Genealogy of Jesus Christ.

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nerdygaymormon · 1 year

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Matthew 1 & Luke 3 - Jesus’ Geneology : What does it say about found family?

The prophecy is that the Messiah would be descended from King David.

The New Testament provides two accounts of the genealogy of Jesus, one in the Gospel of Matthew and another in the Gospel of Luke.

The first verse in Matthew begins by declaring Jesus Christ is descended from King David and also from Abraham. It then begins with Abraham and gives a list of descendants down to Joseph, who was married to Mary who gave birth to Jesus.

Luke says “Jesus...being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph.” In other words, people assumed Joseph was the biological dad of Jesus. It then lists Joseph’s father and his father and his father all the way back to King David, Abraham, and to Adam.

————————————————————

Even though Joseph isn’t the biological father of Jesus, his forefathers are listed as Jesus’ ancestors as it makes Jesus descended from the royal line of King David.

This confirms that adoption counts. Adopted families are valid and real. In the LDS Church, we further affirm this as we seal children to their adopted parent(s). Chosen family is real family.

Many Christians say gay couples shouldn’t be allowed to marry because they can’t biologically create children with each other. Yet per the Bible, Jesus’ conception didn’t involve Joseph nor any other human male. Adoption is one way that gay couples can have kids, and the story of Jesus shows this is valid, it counts.

Queer people often have family who choose to limit contact because they have a hard time accepting someone as trans or gay or queer. The concept of ‘found family’ or ‘chosen family’ is strong in the queer community. The Bible validates this approach. The New Testament assigns Joseph’s lineage to Jesus, and in Matthew 12:50 Jesus defines family based on what someone does and not based on if we’re related by blood or DNA.

————————————————————

The lists of ancestors in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 do not match up. Each assigns a different father to Joseph. Some people explain this by saying the list in Matthew is the lineage of Joseph, who married Mary, and the other is the lineage of Mary’s father, who they assume was also named Joseph.

Regardless of whether or not one of these is the lineage of Mary, she was chosen because of her character. Mary was courageous, she was faithful, she was a young woman of integrity. Who we are as a person matters more than the circumstances around our conception or birth, or who our ancestors are.

I think Matthew’s list of ancestors reinforces this idea as it includes 4 women, each of these women are associated with scandal. Tamar disguised herself as a sex worker and tricked Judah into impregnating her. Rahab was an actual sex worker who helped the Israelites conquer the city of Jericho. Ruth was a Moabite which means she’s a non-Israelite, and she is the child of an incestuous relationship. Bathsheba had an affair with the king which resulted in the death of her husband and the birth of the next king, Solomon. Actually, there’s a 5th woman listed, Mary the mother of Jesus, and she is pregnant outside of wedlock.

————————————————————

People are complex. I know I only discussed the women listed in Jesus’ genealogy, but the men also are a mix of good and bad. People make mistakes, they use bad judgement, they do bad things, and yet none of their circumstances are so far gone that God couldn’t work through them. God shows this family line with adultery and murder can be redeemed. What a great way to show humans that we can be redeemed, too.

————————————————————

No matter who we’re descended from or who we’re related to, what matters most is who we are, the choices we make, and how we treat others. Mary was chosen to be the mother of the Christ because of who she is.

#queer scriptures

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amuseoffyre · 2 years

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The more BS I see about the purity culture stuff, the more I facepalm because the first place I read about the things they’re calling Immoral and Bad in literature was in the book I had to read for church.

Technically, the Sunday School leaders didn’t tell us to read more than the limited verses they wanted to focus on but you put a book in my hands at that age? I’m gonna read the whole thing.

Turns out my parents didn’t like it much when I asked what sex work (Judah and Tamar) was and what rape was (Amnon and a different Tamar, who was also his half-sister) and if hammering a tent peg through someone’s head while they slept would kill them (Jael). Also, the list of people/animals you shouldn’t shag was eye-opening. And Lot, who offered his daughters up to a rapey mob, being plied with drink and raped by said daughters was definitely never mentioned in Sunday school. I also got in a lot of trouble for introducing my baby brother to the hilarity that is the romance poetry of Song of Solomon.

But they still insisted I read my Bible every day.

#tw: sex work #tw: rape

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frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 9 months

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8th September >> Fr. Martin's Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: ‘She will give birth to a son’.

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Gospel (Except USA) Matthew 1:1-16,18-23 The ancestry and conception of Jesus Christ.

A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, Tamar being their mother, Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon was the father of Boaz, Rahab being his mother, Boaz was the father of Obed, Ruth being his mother, Obed was the father of Jesse; and Jesse was the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Azariah, Azariah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah; and Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers. Then the deportation to Babylon took place.

After the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob; and Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel,

a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’

Gospel (USA) Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”

Reflections (8)

(i) Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We celebrate the birth of Mary because of the role she would play in God’s saving purpose for the world. In the words of the gospel reading, it was she who gave birth to Jesus, whom believers came to recognize as Emmanuel, God with us. It was through Marty that God became flesh in the person of her son, Jesus. Even while Jesus was in Mary’s womb, he was Emmanuel, God with us. Because Mary gave birth to Jesus, God with us, we recognize her as the Mother of God. It was through Mary’s son that God would work powerfully to draw all humanity to himself. That is why Mary’s birth was such a momentous event and why we celebrate it every year on this day. In the words of today’s second reading, Mary was chosen long ago for a unique role in God’s purpose for humanity. We venerate Mary not only as Mother of Jesus, Mother of God, but also as Mother of believers, Mother of the church. Jesus looked to Mary as his mother, but he wants us all to look to Mary as our mother. If we are to be children of Mary, we need to be like her Son. In the words of Saint Paul in today’s second reading, God intends us to become ‘images of his Son’. Mary’s calling in life was to become the mother of God’s Son. Our calling in life is to become images of God’s Son. Just as it was through the Holy Spirit that Mary became the mother of God’s Son, so it is through the Holy Spirit that we can become images of God’s Son. God sends the Spirit of his Son into our hearts so that we can each become an image of his Son. What does it mean to be an image of God’s Son? It means loving one another with the love of the Lord, and it is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to do that. When we ask Mary to pray for us sinners now, we are asking her to help us to become living images of her Son, of God’s Son.

And/Or

(ii) Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We cannot be sure when Mary was born but today is the day that the church has traditionally celebrated the birthday of Mary. Generally, when we celebrate the feast of saints, their feast coincides with the date of their death. There are only three exceptions to this, when we celebrate the birth of someone who is recognized to be especially holy. We celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25, the birth of John the Baptist on June 24 and the birth of Mary on September 8. John the Baptist and Mary had a unique relationship with Jesus. Mary gave birth to Jesus and John the Baptist prepared people for his coming. We remember the birthdays of both Mary and John the Baptist because of the person they went on to become. We remember Mary’s birthday because she was the one through whom Jesus came to us. God chose this woman above all other women to be the one who would give birth to God’s Son and Mary accepted this unique role she had in God’s purpose on behalf of us all. Her ‘yes’ to God’s choice of her, God’s call, was also a saying ‘yes’ to all of us, to whom God’s Son was being sent. Her generous response to God’s call was an extraordinary grace for us all. Her Son who was given to us was none other than, in the words of today’s gospel reading, Emmanuel, God-with-us, sent to save God’s people from their sins. Because of her ‘yes’ to God’s call, God has drawn close to all of us in a loving and merciful way. It was through Mary that God gained a human face. Jesus was and is the human face of God’s love and mercy. Jesus not only reveals God to us but he also reveals ourselves to us. He shows us what it is to be fully human. In Jesus we see the person we are called to become if we are to be fully human. As Paul tells us in our reading today, God intends us to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers and sisters. Our calling is to grow up into the image of Mary’s Son and, in so far as we do that, we become fully ourselves. We celebrate Mary’s birthday because of all that we have received through her, all that God has given to us through her.

And/Or

(iii) Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We remember the birthdays of those who are significant for us in life. We also remember the birthday of those who are significant for our faith life. The most significant person in terms of our faith life as Christians is, of course, Jesus, and we remember his birthday on Christmas day. Next to Jesus, Mary is the most significant person for the faith life of many Christians, and it is only fitting that the church remembers her birthday. It is impossible to know when exactly Mary was born, but September 8 has traditionally been the day when the church celebrates Mary’s birthday. When we wish someone a happy birthday we are, in a sense, giving thanks for that person’s birth and life. Today we give thanks for Mary’s birth and life. The gospel reading for today’s feast has to do with the birth of Jesus, rather than the birth of Mary, and that is only right and fitting. We celebrate Mary’s birth and life because of the birth of Jesus, because she became the mother of the Saviour. She is the one through whom we receive Emmanuel, God-with-us. Mary doesn’t offer us herself; she offers us her Son. She holds out her Son to us. She would have been happy to make her own the words of John the Baptist in relation to himself: ‘He, Jesus, must increase, but I must decrease’. The best way to honour Mary is to receive the Son of God whom she offers to us, to become, like herself, people who, in the words of Luke’s gospel, ‘hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance’.

And/Or

(iv) Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

There are very few people whose birthday we celebrate as feast days. I can only think of three, Jesus, of course, whose birth we celebrate on December 25, John the Baptist, whose birth we celebrate on June 24, and Mary, whose birth we celebrate today, September 8. What John the Baptist and Mary have in common is that they are both defined by their relationship to Jesus. Mary gave birth to Jesus; she gave Jesus to the world. John directed people, including his own disciples, to Jesus. If Mary brought Jesus to the world, John tried to bring the world to Jesus. We honour the birthdays of John the Baptist and Mary because of the unique roles they each had in the life of Jesus. John pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. According to this morning’s gospel reading, Mary’s child was called Jesus because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins. John and Mary in different ways point to Jesus as the revelation of God’s mercy. Matthew in this morning’s gospel reading gives another name to Mary’s child, Emmanuel, God-with-us. Mary’s child is above all God with us in his mercy. We celebrate Mary’s birthday because of the precious gift she gave to the world.

And/Or

(v) Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We do not know when Mary was born but the church has chosen the 8th of September to celebrate the day of her birth. We celebrate the birth of Mary because of who she was to become, the mother of God’s Son. Her birth points ahead to that special child who was to be born from her. This morning’s gospel reading gives the child that was to be born of her two names, Jesus and Emmanuel. In the Semitic world, names were very important because each name carried a specific meaning. The name Jesus in Hebrew means ‘the Lord saves’. As the gospel reading says, ‘he is the one who is to save his people from their sins’. The name Emmanuel in Hebrew means, ‘God is with us’. These two names reveal a great deal about the child who was born of the woman whose birthday we celebrate today. God was present among us through Mary’s son as a merciful God, as a God who works to deliver us from our sins and to reconcile us to himself. Jesus is God with us in a merciful way. Saint Paul gives expression to one aspect of God’s mercy in today’s first reading. He declares that God co-operates with all those who love him by turning everything to their good. In other words, if we are open in love to the God present in Jesus, this God will turn everything to our good, all the experiences of our lives, including those we consider totally negative. Jesus reveals a God who works in a life-giving way in the midst of all our experiences. It is through Mary that we have come to know this God, which is why it is right and fitting for us to celebrate the day of her birth.

And/Or

(vi) Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The church has chosen this date, the 8th of September, to celebrate the day of Mary’s birth. We celebrate the birth of Mary because in the words of today’s gospel reading, she gave birth to a son who was named Jesus. The name ‘Jesus’ is very akin to the name ‘Joshua’. In the Hebrew language names often have a special meaning. Thus, the name ‘John’ means ‘the Lord is gracious’. The name ‘Jesus’ means ‘the Lord saves’. The gospel reading specifies that Mary’s son was the one who would save God’s people, Israel, and all of humanity, from their sins. The adult Jesus, on the night before he died, at the last supper, would take a cup of wine, give it to his disciples to drink, while saying, ‘this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’. Jesus was being true to his name at the last supper and, above all, on the cross, which the last supper anticipated in a symbolic way. We repeat those words of Jesus at every Eucharist, at the consecration of the Mass. Saint Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians that ‘every time we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death, until he comes’. At every Eucharist, just as at the last supper, the Lord’s total gift of himself for our sins is powerfully present. The Lord’s death was the demonstration of God’s love for us, a love that called out to all humanity, ‘Be reconciled to God’. Jesus revealed by his life and especially by his death God’s searching love for sinners. Mary’s birth looks ahead to the birth of her son, Jesus, who revealed God’s love to be stronger than human sin, if only we open ourselves to that love in our poverty. That is why we celebrate Mary’s birth as a birth of great significance, not just for her own parents and family, but for all humanity.

And/Or

(vii) Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of several feasts of Mary in the church’s liturgical calendar. We consider the birth of Mary a blessed day for all of us because as a young woman she would say ‘yes’ to God’s call to become the mother of God’s Son, Jesus. With the birth of Mary, the story of Jesus has already begun. The gospel reading this morning declares that Mary conceived her child, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was at work in Mary’s life not only at the moment of Jesus’ conception, but throughout her earthly life. She was a woman of the Spirit, even before the Holy Spirit came down upon her and Jesus’ first disciples at Pentecost. We are all called to be men and women of the Spirit, as Mary was. Our baptismal calling is to allow the Holy Spirit to shape our lives, all we do and say, just as the Holy Spirit shaped the life of Mary. According to Saint Paul in today’s second reading, God’s purpose for our lives is that we become ‘true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers and sisters’. Just as Mary brought Jesus into the world, we are called to bring Jesus into the world by becoming true images of Jesus, God’s Son. Just as Mary brought Jesus into the world through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can only become images of God’s Son, bringing him into our world, through the power of the same Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit to keep overshadowing us if we are to grow into the image of God’s Son, so that we can continue Mary’s work of bringing Jesus into our world today.

And/Or

(viii) Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we read one of the gospel accounts of the nativity or birth of Jesus. We remember the day of Mary’s birth because of the role she would go on to play in the life of Jesus. Jesus had many disciples in the course of his public ministry, but he only ever had one mother. Mary’s relationship with Jesus was truly unique. Yet, as well as being his mother, Mary was also his most faithful disciple. This aspect of her relationship to Jesus is one she shares with us all. Today’s gospel reading speaks of Mary as having conceived Jesus ‘by the Holy Spirit’. The gospels portray Mary as a woman of the Spirit, completely open to the Spirit’s promptings. Not only was her son conceived by the Spirit, but her whole life was shaped by the Spirit. As a woman of the Spirit, she was not only the mother of Jesus but, in the words of Paul in today’s second reading, she was a true image of God’s Son. Paul declares in that reading that God intends all of us to become true images of God’s Son. It is the Holy Spirit at work in our lives who will enable us to become true images of God’s Son. We look to Mary to show us the person that God intends us to become, people of the Spirit who reflect God’s Son to others by our whole way of life. In celebrating Mary’s birthday, we are also celebrating our own baptismal calling. We will not be fully conformed to the image of God’s Son in this earthly life, but each day of our lives we are called to grow into this image, in the power of the Spirit. As we do so, we can look to Mary as our inspiration and also as our help and support on this journey, calling on her to pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

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myremnantarmy · 1 year

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𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Gospel Mt 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,

the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,

whose mother was Tamar.

Perez became the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram the father of Amminadab.

Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Salmon the father of Boaz,

whose mother was Rahab.

Boaz became the father of Obed,

whose mother was Ruth.

Obed became the father of Jesse,

Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,

whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.

Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

Abijah the father of Asaph.

Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

Joram the father of Uzziah.

Uzziah became the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amos,

Amos the father of Josiah.

Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers

at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile,

Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.

Abiud became the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

Azor the father of Zadok.

Zadok became the father of Achim,

Achim the father of Eliud,

Eliud the father of Eleazar.

Eleazar became the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.

Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations

from Abraham to David

is fourteen generations;

from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations;

from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,

fourteen generations.

#jesus #catholic #my remnant army #jesus christ #virgin mary #faithoverfear #saints #jesusisgod #endtimes #artwork #baby jesus #jesusiscoming #jesusitrustinyou #gospel #bible

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happy-lemon · 11 months

Text

Tamar is smitten!

#ts4 #sims 4 #tamar solomon

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 9 months

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8th September >> Mass Readings (USA)

Feast of The Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

Either:

First Reading Micah 5:1-4a The time when she who is to give birth has borne.

The LORD says:

You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, And the rest of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.) He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Or:

First Reading Romans 8:28-30 For those he foreknew he also predestined.

Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 13:6ab, 6c

R/ With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

Though I trusted in your mercy, let my heart rejoice in your salvation.

R/ With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

Let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”

R/ With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Either:

Gospel Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Or:

Gospel Matthew 1:18-23 For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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anniflamma · 3 months

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Man, I'm going a bit crazy with the idea of Mephiboseth and Absalom a bit here like, for starters Mephisboseth has to deal with the whole drama that if it wasn't because he had already been injured that the people who took care of him would have never loved him or let him live long enough as he is now. Cuz he is the heir of Jonathan after all, but also its the exact reason that he is the son of Jonathan that David cares about the boy so much, maybe just as much as Solomon, even though it isn't so noticeable when there's a lot of the problems in the family that arouse due to David's many wives and children.

One of which is of course Absalom. And to an extent I feel like he would become jealous but, I also like to think about he would grow out of that when he sees that 1)Mephisboseth poses no threat to him, heck less threat than his brothers currently do, 2) He seems a bit more lonely in the regard that he is the only heir of a lost family whose only person he could call a familiar being the maid that saved and keeps caring for him like a mother. And 3) Maybe the idea of Tamar being close to Mephisboseth would be nice to write about (but will also add a sadder tone when Mephisboseth can't do anything about what's going to happen to Tamar. 😔) especially considering how her other bothers might be.

Like maybe Mephisboseth is also quite the contrast compared to Absalom who is pompous and extroverted in his own regard. Like even when the deals of the court get to be too much Absalom can go back to Mephisboseth because with him there's no need to put on a show so that he can look better than his two (one really, the second son seems to be as invisible as middle child gets) brothers. After some years he might not care much about his father's favoritism because well, he knows he is great enough by himself. Not as wise as Solomon but enough, probably because Mephisboseth and Tamar hype him up a lot. (And that care that Tamar shows to them probably is what makes Amnon so bitter to the point of committing horrible things in the first place. Because not only is he hurting Tamar, he also hurts Absalom who wasn't present at the one time Tamar needed her, and Mephisboseth who even if he was, wouldn't have been strong enough to help her— or maybe would have tried and ended up getting more hurt because of his disability.)

Either way of how you put the story, the tragedy will so deep throat that I can't stop thinking about it.

And sidenote, the fact that Siba was kept in charge of Mephiboseth during the rebellion of Absalom was just a little note honestly but my mind went to the idea that maybe, because Mephiboseth cares about Absalom so much he would have tried to help him in any way he can, and David— who had met in secret with Jonathan before, who knows the lengths he would have gone for to be with the one he loves– tries to impose him from meeting Absalom in the case that another son of his, the son of *Jonathan*, dies. (Not to mention he would also have broken his covenant with Jonathan if Mephiboseth were to die.)

Sorry mate. I'm so sorry but you are suffering with me after giving me this idea 😔

Hey, I have no problem suffering with you! Where are all my papers on Mephi/Absolom stuff!? 😫

I couldn't agree with you more on this! There are so many themes you could explore with a story about Mephiboseth. The conflicts... The emotional turmoil... aahh! I believe the dynamic between Absolom and Mephi would be such a fascinating aspect.

Mephiboseth suffered greatly from the trauma of his accident and the sudden loss of his father in one single day. Following this, Siba, Saul's servant, tended to him and relocated him to a place literary called “Nothing,” reinforcing Mephi’s belief that he is insignificant. Even in the Bible, his insecurity is evident as he refers to himself as “nothing more than a dead dog.” Therefore, when he gets an summon to David’s palace and meet the king and his family for the first time, I always wonder about what is his perspective? Does Mephi harbor resentment? Is there jealousy towards Absalom and David’s other sons who grew up in a luxurious palace— a life that was meant to be his? And imagine if Jonathan had survived, then Absalom and Mephiboseth would have grown up together as brothers….

And yhea, It is pretty much canon that Absolom and Mephiboseth are the opposite from each other. Like you said, one is beautiful, popular, pompous, extroverted and a prince. And the other is lame, introverted and a "nobody". Which is something I can eat everyday! I just love the opposite attracts trope!

For Absalom, he had grown up in a grand palace that strictly forbade the presence of anyone with disabilities. David, for a really stupid reason, held a strong dislike towards those who were blind or deaf. However, everything took a different turn when David brought a new child into the court, publicly declaring him as his own son and warning sternly that any harm towards the boy would be met with severe consequences. I think this sudden change could leave Absalom confused and somewhat resentful of his father's abrupt favoritism towards this random boy. He probably would feel jealous at first, but probably quickly shifts and not lingering on these emotions for long.

I also see that the relationship between David and Mephiboseth is not entirely healthy. David's protectiveness towards Mephiboseth could even borders to an obsession, stemming from his fear of losing "Jonathan” again. I thinks that Mephi would looks and resembling his father in every way, When Mephiboseth stands before him, David is overcome with emotion.

Picture him trembling on the floor before the king, uncertain of his fate, why he is here. In a surprising turn, David pulls him into a tight embrace, tears streaming down his face, perhaps softly uttering Jonathan's name. Confused and hesitant, Mephiboseth eventually returns the hug. 😭

David has good intentions and cares deeply for Mephiboseth, but his love for him seems to come with conditions. It raises the question of whether David's affection for Mephiboseth would remain unchanged if he were not Jonathan's son. The likely answer is no, something that Mephiboseth probably already knows about. The only reason David lifts the ban on disabled individuals entering the palace is because he desires to have Mephiboseth live with him and his family.

Then we have David's overprotectiveness during the rebellion. Despite being torn between loyalty to Absalom and David, Mephiboseth is forced to remain at the palace due to Siba's influence. Siba, believing that a lame person should not stand beside the King, prevents Mephiboseth from joining David but as well not allowed to follow Absalom. It could be that David might actually be alright with leaving Mephiboseth behind at the palace. A recurring theme in "The Prince’s Psalm" is how others underestimate David and try to forces him to stay low and at home. His family unknowingly hurts him when they are doing it. This mirrors how David unknowingly makes the same the mistreatment he endured from his brothers onto Mephiboseth.

There could be also a theme with David not viewing Mephibosheth as his own person. When Siba lies that Mephibosheth has betrayed David and that he has left the palace, David becomes enraged and gives all the inheritance that he would give to Mephibosheth to Siba instead, not taking time to think or ask for evidence. It also shows that he doesn’t really know Mephibosheth, that he immediately believes someone else's words. It gives the feeling of "putting him on a pedestal." What I'm trying to say here is that David loves Mephibosheth for Jonathan’s sake. It's a beautiful thing between David and Jonathan but not as much for Mephibosheth, if you know what I mean.

And there are so many parallels between David and Jonathan’s story with Absalom and Mephibosheth. It has the same story beats but the roles are reversed. The "shepherd" stays in the castle while the prince is on the run from the king.

Regarding Tamar, it's a very sensitive topic. The assault of Tamar in the Bible is only used as motivation for Absalom to start the rebellion. After that, Tamar isn't important narratively anymore. She is only mentioned once more after the assault, when Absalom names his firstborn after his sister. This act struck me as such sweet thing, cuz it's probably the only time in the Bible where a male character celebrates having a daughter. Personally, I've always been uncomfortable with female characters experiencing trauma solely to drive the motivations of male characters. As well as that a character would sexually abuse another character just to hurt someone else. Amnon comes across as nothing more than a creepy stalker in the bible, and I don't think he doesn't need any additional motivation for assaulting Tamar. Like you said, I really like the idea of having Mephibosheth and Tamar become good friends, leading Amnon to feel jealousy. But it wouldn’t be the main factor why he was harming Tamar in the first place. He was obsessed with her already and resorted to trickery to manipulate David into sending her alone to his bedchamber—a situation that would never have occurred if she hadn't been ordered or coerced into it. I do think that both Absalom and Mephi would blame themselves that they couldn't protect her but then Absalom redirects that resentment towards David. This would happened to Mephi as well but he becomes conflicted. That he don't want to blame David for forcing Tamar to be alone with Amnon at first but then realize it later. I'm not sure about what I could add to Tamar's story…. Perhaps keeping her involved in the story could enhance her character arc? For instance, instead of Siba aiding Mephibosheth in meeting Absalom secretly, maybe Tamar could fulfill this role instead? I dunno, I'm not sure.

Though if Mephibosheth and Absalom's relationship were romantic, then David would probably immediately spot it. 😅 I don’t think that he would mind in the beginning, and even it would make him reminisce his memories with Jonathan. But when Absalom starts the rebellion, he obviously sees him as a threat to Mephibosheth. And after Absalom’s death… Yeah, there we have the sad juice. David mourns for his son's death and we have Mephibosheth mourning too by David's side. It's like a reflection of Saul and Jonathan, but this time, it’s “David” who died. And it's the King and the “prince“ still living.

I WANT THIS TO BE A BOOK SO MUCH! 😫

#asks #long post #tw sa mention #bible #the prince's psalm #david/jonathan #Absalom #Tamar #Mephibosheth

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 6 months

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Creator Set's Free's (Jesus') Tribal Ancestry

1 Here is the record of the ancestry of Creator Sets Free (Jesus) the Chosen One, a descendant of Much Loved One (David) and of Father of Many Nations (Abraham). From Father of Many Nations (Abraham) to Much Loved One (David), his ancestors were: 2 Father of Many Nations (Abraham), He Made Us Laugh (Isaac), Heel Grabber (Jacob), Give Him Praise (Judah) and his brothers, 3 He Breaks Through (Perez) and his brother First Light (Zerah), whose mother was Fruit of Palm Tree (Tamar), Circle of Tipis (Hezron), Lifted Up (Ram), 4 Noble Relative (Amminadab), Talks with Snakes (Nahshon), He Makes Peace (Salmon), 5 Moves with Strength (Boaz), whose mother was Boastful Woman (Rahab), He Works Hard (Obed), whose mother was Beautiful Friend (Ruth), Original Man (Jesse), 6 who was the father of the great chief Much Loved One (David). From Much Loved One (David) to the removal to Village of Confusion (Babylon), the ancestors of Creator Sets Free (Jesus) were: Much Loved One (David), Stands in Peace (Solomon), whose mother, Daughter of Seven (Bathsheba), was the wife of Fire from Creator (Uriah), 7 Big People Maker (Rehoboam), He Is My Father (Abijah), Gathers the People (Asa), 8 He Makes Wrongs Right Again (Jehoshaphat), Creator Is Above (Jehoram), My Great Power (Uzziah), 9 Creator Has No Equal (Jotham), Held by Creator (Ahaz), He Will Be Strong (Hezekiah), 10 He Made Them Forget (Manasseh), Burden Bearer (Amon), Good Medicine (Josiah), 11 and Chosen by Creator (Jeconiah) and his brothers at the time of the removal to Village of Confusion (Babylon).

12 From the removal to Village of Confusion (Babylon) to the birth of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), his ancestors were: Chosen by Creator (Jeconiah), Ask Creator (Shealtiel), Born in Village of Confusion (Zerubbabel), 13 Father Boasts in Him (Abihud), He Builds Up (Eliakim), He Helps (Azor), 14 Stands with a Good Heart (Zadok), Stands Firm (Achim), Power of Creator (Eliud), 15 Creator Helps Him (Eleazar), Gifted by Creator (Matthan), Heel Grabber (Jacob), 16 and He Gives Sons (Joseph), who was the husband of Bitter Tears (Mary), who gave birth to Creator Sets Free (Jesus), who is the Chosen One.

17 And so there were fourteen generations from Father of Many Nations (Abraham) to Much Loved One (David), fourteen more generations from Much Loved One (David) until the removal to Village of Confusion (Babylon), and then fourteen more from the removal to Creator Sets Free (Jesus), the Chosen One.

Birth of the Chosen One

18 Here is the story of how the Chosen One was born: His mother, Bitter Tears (Mary), had been promised in marriage to He Gives Sons (Joseph). But before they came together in marriage, while still a virgin, she found out that she was carrying a baby in her womb from the Holy Spirit. 19 He Gives Sons (Joseph) was a man of honor. He did not want to bring her trouble and open shame, so he thought about secretly releasing her from the marriage promise.

20 As he wondered about these things, a messenger from the Great Spirit appeared to him in a dream and said, “He Gives Sons (Joseph), descendant of Much Loved One (David), do not be afraid to take Bitter Tears (Mary) to be your wife, because the Holy Spirit has given her this child. 21 She will give birth to a son. You will name him Creator Sets Free (Jesus), because he will set his people free from their bad hearts and broken ways.”

22 This gave full meaning to the words of Creator spoken long ago by the prophet, 23 “A young virgin will be with child and give birth to a son. They will call his name Immanuel, which in our tribal language means Creator Is with Us.”

24 When He Gives Sons (Joseph) woke up, he followed the guidance given him in the dream and took Bitter Tears (Mary) to be his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until after the child was born, and he named the child Creator Sets Free (Jesus). — Gift From Creator Tells The Good Story 1 (Matthew 1) | First Nations Version (FNV) First Nations Version Bible Copyright ©2023 InterVarsity Press. Cross References: Genesis 22:18; Genesis 25:19; Deuteronomy 22:23; Deuteronomy 24:1; Ruth 4:18; Ruth 4:20; 1 Samuel 1:20; 2 Samuel 7:12; 2 Samuel 11:27; 1 Kings 3:5; 1 Kings 11:43; 1 Kings 15:24; 2 Kings 24:14; 1 Chronicles 2:12; 1 Chronicles 3:14; Isaiah 7:14; Jeremiah 22:30; Jeremiah 27:20; Haggai 1:1; Matthew 16:16; Matthew 16:20; Matthew 27:17; Luke 1:31; Luke 2:7; Acts 5:19; Romans 1:2

#Jesus #genealogy #ancestry #Jesus' birth #Joseph #angel of the Lord #Mary #Matthew 1 #Gospel of Matthew #New Testament #FNV #First Nations Version Bible #InterVarsity Press

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steveezekiel · 2 months

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A FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP 1

"THERE are “friends” who pretend to be friends, BUT THERE IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER."

Proverbs 18:24 (the Living Bible)

• I would be sharing about friendly relationship, a relationship between friends.

- To a certain extent, whatever a person would become in life, would be through relationships.

- God created mankind a relationally being. It might be difficult to do any appreciable thing without one good relationship or another.

- Your rising in life would by and large be through the godly relationships which God has orchestrated to be around you.

- Some had gotten to good places in life through some relationship of friends which they found themselves in, whilst some are regretting where they are today through some wrong friendships or relationships which they cultivated.

- Some had lost their lives, fortunes or businesses, marriages, and whatever, through the wrong companionship, or friendship, or relationship, which they cultivated: "DO not be DECEIVED: “EVIL COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD HABITS" (1 Corinthians 15:33 NKJV).

- The Bible warns that any ungodly friendship or relationship should be done with:

17 THEREFORE “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord.

DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, And I will receive you.” 18 “I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY" (2 Corinthians 6:17,18 NKJV).

• Examples of wrong friendly relationship that led to regret and sorrows.

I. Amnon, David's first son had inordinate affection towards his half sister who happened to be Absalom's sister of the same mother.

- A friend of Amnon counsel and encourage him to do the heinous act that eventually cost him his life:

3 BUT Amnon had a FRIEND whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. NOW JONADAB WAS A VERY CRAFTY MAN. 4 And he said to him, “Why are you, the king’s son, becoming thinner day after day? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” 5 So Jonadab said to him, “LIE DOWN ON YOUR BED AND PRETEND TO BE ILL. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand’ ”(2 Samuel 13:3-5 NKJV).

- This friend of Amnon counsel him how to commit incest with his half-sister. Amnon heeded the counsel of his friend and lost his life as a result of it (2 Samuel 13:28,29).

- This same Jonadab was the one who gave the narrative, the details of what happened, when Amnon was slain or killed by Absalom:

"BUT just then JONADAB, the son of David’s brother Shimea, arrived and said, “No, don’t believe that all the king’s sons have been killed! IT WAS ONLY AMNON! ABSALOM HAS BEEN PLOTTING THIS EVER SINCE AMNON RAPED HIS SISTER TAMAR" (2 Samuel 13:32 NLT).

- This wrong friendly relationship of Amnon led to his untimely and gruesome death. When he had that evil Desire in his heart, If he had a good friend who could tell him the truth, such would have dissuaded him from doing such a thing, and he would not have wasted his life—ended his life the way he did.

- Some Believers who claimed to be born-again are in some friendly relationship that Encourage them to wallow in Sin.

- Any unholy friendly relationship can cost you your life, your relationship or fellowship with God, and the fulfilment of your God-given Purpose in life.

II. Rehoboam, King Solomon's son who succeeded him.

- Rehoboam lost his privilege to rule over the entire nation of Israel, because of the wrong counsel given to him by his friends, which he heeded:

"BUT Rehoboam REJECTED the ADVICE of the OLDER MEN and instead asked the OPINION of the YOUNG MEN who had GROWN UP WITH HIM and were now HIS ADVISERS" (1 Kings 12:8 NLT).

- The people of Israel came to Rehoboam who succeeded his father, Solomon; for him to lighten the burden placed on them during his father's regime. The people poised to be his loyal subjects If he did consider the plea or the polite request they brought to him (1 Kings 12:4-7).

- Rehoboam chose to listen and heed the advice or the opinion of the young men, his friends, which was a wrong counsel.

HE lost his grip on the kingdom of Israel, ten out the twelve tribes in Israel revolted and spilt or break off As a result of the unwise decision of HIS (1 Kings 12:12-19).

READ: 1 King 12:1-19

- If you had the privilege of leading in any capacity, endeavour to cultivate or surround yourself with godly relationships—the godly people, who would be able to tell you the truth.

- Those who have the fear of God. Those who wanted you to succeed in whatever God has assigned you to do.

- When you find yourself in an enviable position, some people who are around you might be counselling you, doing whatever they are doing with pretensions, and negative motives, to cause your downfall:

15 IT'S true that SOME ARE PREACHING OUT OF JEALOUSY AND RIVALRY. But OTHERS PREACH about Christ WITH PURE MOTIVES. 16 THEY preach BECAUSE they LOVE ME [Paul], for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 THOSE OTHERS DO NOT HAVE PURE MOTIVES as they PREACH about CHRIST. THEY PREACH WITH SELFISH AMBITION, NOT SINCERELY, INTENDING TO MAKE MY CHAINS MORE PAINFUL TO ME. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice" (Philippians 1:15-18 NKJV).

READ: 2 Timothy 4:10,16,17

- Whatever friendly relationship that would not help you in your God-given assignment should be quitted, halted or desisted.

- If your friendship relationship with someone is parasitic, let the friendship be stopped.

- Also, any relationship that would not help you, As a Believer, to be what God wanted you to be, should be done away with.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

- Whatever is contrary to your health is rebuked and uprooted in Jesus' name.

Peace! TO BE CONTINUED

#christianity #gospel #christian living #christian blog #the bible #devotion #jesus #my writing #faith #prayer

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