Seize the Moment – Day 902
The Verdict for Sin!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, September 5. Happy Labor Day!
The fear of death is a daily reality for so many people. But it doesn’t need to be for Christians. After nine chapters of genealogies, the narrative of the Chronicler begins with the death of Saul, Israel’s first king. Whereas Samuel’s account of Saul took twenty-three chapters (1 Samuel 9-31), the Chronicler covered him in fourteen verses, explaining why he died in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14:
So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, and did not inquire of the Lord. Therefore He killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.[emphasis added]
The Hebrew word used here, ma’al, indicates a violation of covenant trust (e.g., Lev 5:15). It is used to describe adultery in terms of a woman being unfaithful to her husband (Num 5:12, 27). More often, however, it is used to describe idolatry or unfaithfulness to Yahweh (e.g., Deut 32:51; Josh 7:1). The word is used throughout Chronicles (e.g., 1 Chr 2:7; 2 Chr 12:2; 26:16-18) and is listed as the reason for the exile (1 Chr 5:25; 2 Chr 36:14-21).
Both Israel and Saul were judged for their unfaithfulness to God. The Chronicler’s point is the same one the Holy Spirit is making today – it doesn’t matter if you are the king or a nation, the verdict for sin is death (Romans 1:32; 5:12; 6:16-23; 8:6-13)!
Seize the moment and walk in the victory of Jesus Christ,who has swallowed death and given you eternal life through the Holy Spirit, who seals you and anoints you to live faithfully toGod (1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Galatians 6:7-9; Romans 8:1-39; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 John 2:20-29)