DIVERSITY – UNITY. 1st Chronicles 12 As those who returned from Babylon were about to begin the rebuilding of their nation, including the cities, walls, temple, and their own homes, they would have been very interested in their second king, David, who, many generations before, had been an outcast in his time before he became the leader of the nation. There were many useful principles of leadership, and practices of rebuilding a failing society in the account the chronicler wrote for their learning - and ours.
The three areas of David's movement before he became king of Israel and could move in and take Jerusalem as his capital city were the cave of Adullam, Ziklag, in Philistia, and Hebron. The first, Ziklag, mentioned in this chapter, is the second in time. The narrative begins by identifying what David needed and why. He needed "helpers in battle" or, perhaps better stated, "helpers in war," because war does not always include the confrontation of a battle.
The chronicler’s account includes the time David was at Ziklag as a fugitive from Saul. Those back from Babylon were introduced to brave, bold, and strong men who were faithful to David, God’s choice to be king of Israel. The men from Benjamin were tribal relatives of Saul who knew, even before Saul was dead, that his family was rejected from being rulers of Israel.
The warriors from Benjamin could shoot arrows and use a sling with both their right and left hands. This unique skill made them particularly adaptable and versatile in battle. Some combinations stand out when they are put together. The results are such that it is obvious God made it happen. A training time when natural talents and God-given gifts are honed to use prepares one to fit with others and win battles to be fought together. Practice first, then use the skill in challenging situations. These two actions, skill and fame, make possible the results longed for, and through them, laborers, warriors, and leaders become famous, known for their ability to accomplish difficult tasks.
But a third part of the trio, understanding, is the real key. It is not learned by personal training or public acclaim. It comes from the use of intelligence and observation and finds its way into the inner recesses of the soul. With an understanding of the course of action, these three combine to set out to serve with alacrity the Master who gives the call. Skills learned in private places are now applied, and victories for the King now occur.
The fame of quiet, confident men who have learned to trust their God and use their instincts in the times and places God has placed them reaches the ears of a worried public and brings peace. Leadership of people chosen by God Himself should not be taken lightly or overlooked. The challenges that arise from time to time are met by understanding the times, the learned skills, and fame bring peace.
As those who live in a world whose god is adamantly opposed to our God, and whose kingdom of darkness cannot coexist with the kingdom of light of which believers are a part, we move daily through the world as lit up torches that cannot be hid and who expose the "hidden things of darkness" that men love rather than light that are all around us. We are helpers of our heavenly David in this place "outside the camp" of popular opinion and acceptable "Christian religion" that appeals to those who want to be identified as Christians but do not want to be "despised and rejected of men" as He was. They want to be known as those who love the golden rule and wish to be accepted by everyone.
Men from Gad and Manasseh on the east of the Jordan River were notably able warriors who were not easily intimidated; they were well-trained and resolute in reaching their objectives. David was right and wise in making sure those who came from Benjamin and Judah were committed to him before he openly received them.
Thousands of men from all parts of the nation came to David, making a large army committed to “The Lord’s anointed.” There was no question that Saul had been replaced by the Lord’s choice, David. On David’s part, he had learned that waiting for God’s timing was essential in serving the Lord. This chapter then tells of those who went to be with David when he was first rejected and living in a cave. It concludes with David at Hebron, where he had been ruling over Judah for seven years before becoming king of the whole nation for which he had been anointed by Samuel years previously.
Waiting and wisdom are needed qualifications when leading God’s people. His guidance will come in His time. "Our Lord is now rejected, and by the world disowned." But for those who love and are loyal to Him, we owe our support, despite where we are and what others do. Even evangelical groups will find our support of our Lord Jesus Christ and our loyalty to Him offensive because they think we are extreme and fanatical in our commitment to His word.
We are not part of a movement but are members of His family. What happens to Him happens to us, and what happens to us is important to Him. Our affection for Him and our convictions about how best to serve Him while in this world are indissolubly linked. What my heart feels controls how my body acts. Conviction and affection enable us to stand firm with our Lord in times of opposition.
The people who returned from Babylon brought a wide diversity of skills that were learned, which, when used by natural ability, could be used to good advantage in the rebuilding process. Diversity among the people of God today is good when the natural talents of an individual and God-given gifts are used with those of others. Diversity of ability and solidarity of heart produce a special unity that meets the present need of the work of the Lord. When all of these functions are under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, much can be done to further the work of the kingdom of God.
As the returned exiles would go through the Chronicles, they would be reminded of the indifference of Saul to the word of God, and then the people's indifference to the leadership of Saul. When there is indifference, confusion follows. Mixed messages create confusion, and division follows confusion. When there is division, departure follows, and where there is departure, dispersion and disintegration are the result. Great nations that once were world powers are completely forgotten because of the course they followed.
Because of their devotion to David, men from all twelve tribes came to David and were separated unto him. Separation just to be different has no real value and is a sign of self-importance and self-interest. Separation from the world to our Lord Jesus Christ because of devotion to Him is good. The power associated with separation "from among them" is that God can act as a Father to us, and we live as "sons and daughters" to Him. Our choices and sacrifices must be controlled by His revealed will. Independent choices and self-imposed sacrifices are only just that. But when decisions, choices, separation, and devotion are made by design, our Lord is honored and glorified in "our bodies and spirits which are His."
Ambitious men who had practiced their natural talents until they became proficient in using arrows and slings with either right or left hand would have been extremely valuable to David for both defensive and offensive positions. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have all given gifts to His people to preserve the people of God and to further the work of God. In wisdom and grace, God uses our natural talents and spiritual gifts to accomplish things that are naturally impossible for us to do and preserve what He has already done.
Joining David when he was in "the hold" were brave, committed men of God who were not easily intimidated or afraid of strong opposition. They were the kind of men who could either face down enemies on a battlefield or chase after those enemies who fled until they caught them. These men did not allow normal or extraordinary obstacles to turn them aside from their objective. It is vital for us to have defined goals in our service for God that are consistent with His will, not our wishful thinking. When that is the case, we can move forward confident in the knowledge that "He knows the way that I take." When we are in fellowship with God, committed to His work to which we are called, and are unified with our brothers and sisters biblically, we can expect divine approval as God does His will through us.
Attitude and action complement each other as each person’s needs and each event open up before us. David was initially skeptical of those who had been followers of Saul, both because of their family ties and their service to him. The Spirit of God who came upon Amasai made it unmistakably plain with the double word, "Peace, peace," that those men of Judah and Benjamin were with him in heart.
Some occasions arise when people must be tested to see if their profession and words are genuine. When we are in doubt about a matter, we can confidently put it in God's hands, knowing there is nothing hidden from Him. Authenticity is very hard to fake, and is quite easily discerned by those of experience who are not manipulated by prejudice or nepotism.
Determination to obey our Lord and carry out His will brings with it an opportunity to meet and coordinate with others who have made the same determination. As believers in Christ, we experience the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and as we move forward, we find ourselves joining in fellowship with those all over the world who have the same commitment to our Lord.
There is a sense in which caution and commitment need each other. Caution keeps us from jumping ahead too quickly, and commitment keeps us from lagging behind or going too slow. The guiding principle of "Them that honor Me, I will honor" will help us discern the time and task to know what true humility and righteous honor are. Truly humble men can receive honor, which will not go to their heads.
To be gracious and quietly accepting of honor is appropriate. The brave men who came to David were given great responsibility. Responsibility requires evident dignity and integrity; those who lead God's people need those qualities. Those who follow their leaders have the right to expect them to conduct themselves in a way that honors them. Success and peace among God's people largely depend on the attitude and conduct of those who lead the people. Half of Manasseh came late to David, but they came along with others from the east side of Jordan. Some priestly families joined David's army along with the Levites who were willing to join him. There was order and designated roles in David's camp, and the focus of everyone's part in the work would be useful when leaders coordinated it.
We are expected to be ready and willing to be involved in the service of our Lord. What our role in that service is up to Him, not us. Whether many or few of those we know or are tied to by nature join us in our desire to serve the Lord is up to them and Him, not me. I am responsible for my actions. Some servants will be famous and their names will be on the lips of many of God's people worldwide. Other names won't mean much to very many people.
The common denominator we all have is our Lord Jesus Christ. It is our privilege to be associated with Him, whether our responsibility is to lead or to follow. Respect for our Lord and His people is integral to our testimony. Obedience to Him and His word makes my part in the great work of kingdom building important, whether obvious or unseen.
Knowing what is happening and what needs to be done is essential for leaders to make the right decisions that affect the Lord's people and the work of an assembly. Conformity to the standards of the Word of God makes the unity of diverse people and gifts possible. An honest evaluation of the needs around us and the available assets makes it possible to bring to reality what was once only an idea. The principle of supply and demand can be applied to our calling and the specific needs of the moment.
Those returning Israelites needed to review all of these things so they could evaluate their resources and use them all to the advantage of the work in their hands. The first ones came because their hearts were knit to David, but each came because something was wrong where they were. Attitudes and actions changed when they became unified around David. As others joined them, the whole group became polarized into one properly functioning body because of their increasing devotion to David. Supplies came, needs were met, and there was great joy even as the numbers increased.
The kind of men needed in times of war, like those gathered around David, were wide and varied. Their overriding principle of life was that they wanted to please their king, knowing his kingship was an act of God. There were men of valor who were ready armed for war. There were famous men whose names were revered. There were soldiers skilled in battle, tried and proven men whose hearts were united. Such men are rightly feared.
But a group of men stood out among that mighty army. Two hundred men who knew what Israel ought to do. Those unnamed men were special and were called upon when doubt raised its ugly head about how the war would go. Understanding the times and days in which they lived gave them authority when decisions had to be made. With discerning minds they met, providing power to what they said, and the famous and the brave knew they must follow where they led.
I live in unusual times; confusion seems to reign. Those who lead the nations seem unsure of what to do and how to do it. I pray God will raise understanding, faithful men whose knowledge of the times comes from the heart, not just their heads. The Spirit and the Word are faithful guides, so I walk by faith instead of uncertainty. Those whom the Lord has given the will to do precisely what God says are those special ones who understand the times. There are pressures from all sides to conform to the most popular way in churches, families, marriages, and even nations. True and honorable men, bring us again to the place where integrity, honor, commitment, and loyalty are not forgotten.
These same principles apply to the people of God today. When we know what is needed and take time to prepare those things and ourselves, we are ready when the time comes to take action. Any advance in the work we are involved in needs God's guidance. He knows the need precisely and knows everything we have to be engaged to fulfill that need because He provided it.
Like David's army, God's people are very diverse, but when they unite in solidarity and are unified in purpose, God can work through His prepared people. The more solid, devoted, and committed we are, the more God provides to meet every need. What a joy it is to be where God wants us - gathered to our Lord Jesus Christ, and doing what He wants - "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me."