NATHAN

POSERS

This prophet lived up to the meaning of his name, “he [God] has given”. He was a necessary and helpful gift from God to David.  he served as God’s spokesman to David and proved himself a fearless friend and counsellor, always willing to speak the truth, even when he knew great pain would result.

In confronting David’s multiple sin of coveting, theft, adultery, and murder in his affair with Bathesheba, Nathan was able to help David see his own wrongdoing by showing that he would not have tolerated such actions from anyone else. David’s repentance allowed Nathan to comfort him with the reality of God’s forgiveness, and at the same time remind him of the painful consequences his sin would bring.

Nathan’s approach helps us to judge our actions. How often do we make choices that we would condemn others for making?  It is helpful to ask ourselves how God and others see our actions.  Unfortunately, we have a huge capacity to lie to ourselves.  God still provides two safeguards against self-deception: his word and true friends.  In each case, we get a view beyond ourselves.  You are holding God’s word.  Let it speak to you about yourself, even if the truth is painful.  If you don’t have a friend like Nathan, ask God for one.  And ask God to use you as a suitable Nathan for someone else.

Strengths and accomplishments:

  • A trusted adviser to David
  • A prophet for God
  • A fearless, but careful confronter
  • One of God’s controls in David’s life

Weakness and mistake:

  • His eagerness to see David build a temple for God in Jerusalem made him speak without God’s instruction

Lessons from his life:

  • We should not be afraid to tell the truth to those we care about
  • A trustworthy companion is one of God’s greatest gifts
  • God cares enough to find a way to communicate to us when we are in the wrong

Vital statistics:

  • Occupations: Prophet, royal adviser
  • Contemporaries: David, Bathsheba, Solomon, Zadok, Adonijah

Key verse: “Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation” (2 Samuel 7.17).

Nathan’s story is told in 2 Samuel 7 – 1 Kings 1. He is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 17.15; 2 Chronicles 9.29; 29.15.

TABLE OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (Center)

BIBLES WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Approximate Biblical UnitApproximate Imperial UnitMetric Equivalent
Weights
talent60 minas75 pounds34 kilograms
mina50 shekels1 ¼ pounds0.6 kilograms
shekel2 bekas2/5 ounce11.5 grams
pim2/3 shekel¼ ounce7.7 grams
beka10 gerahs1/50 ounce0.6 gram
cubit18 inches0.5 metre
span9 inches23 centimetres
handbreadth3 inches8 centimetres
Length
cor10 ephahs6 bushels220 litres
lethek5 ephahs3 bushels110 litres
ephah10 omers3/5 bushel22 litres
seah1/3 ephah13 pints7.3 litres
omer1/10 ephah4 pints2 litres
cab1/18 ephah2 pints1 litre
Capacity: Liquid Measure
bath1 ephah5 gallons22 litres
hin1/6 bath7 pints4 litres
log1/72 bath½ pint0.3 litre

The figures of the table are calculated on the basis of a shekel equalling 11.5 grams, a cubit equalling 18 inches and an ephah equalling 22 litres. It is based upon the best available information, but it is not intended to be mathematically precise; like the measurement equivalents in the footnotes, it merely gives approximate amounts and distances.  Weights and measures differed somewhat at various times and places in the ancient world.  There is uncertainty particularly about the ephah and the bath; further discoveries may give more light on these units of capacity.

READING

BIBLES THUMBS

Can’t apply the Bible unless you read it:

Deuteronomy 17.18-20

The king was to be a man of God’s [Wall’s] word. He was to (1) have a copy of the law made for his personal use, (2) keep it with him all the time, (3) read from it every day, and (4) obey it completely.  Through this process he would learn respect for God [Wall], keep himself from feeling more important than others, and avoid neglecting God [Wall] in times of prosperity.  We can’t know what God [Wall] wants except through his word, and his word won’t affect our lives unless we read and think about it regularly.  With the abundant availability of the Bible today, it is not difficult to gain access to the source of the king’s wisdom.  What is more of a challenge is following its directives.

Public reading important in ancient Israel:

Deuteronomy 31.10-13

The laws were to be read to the whole assembly so that everyone, including the children, could hear them. Every seven years the entire nation would gather together and listen as a priest read the law to them.  There were no books, Bibles, or newspapers to spread God’s [Wall’s] word, so the people had to rely on word of mouth and an accurate memory.  Memorisation was an important part of worship because if everyone knew the law, ignorance would be no excuse for breaking it.  To fulfil God’s [Wall’s] purpose and will in our lives, we need the content and substance of his word in our hearts and minds.  For the Hebrews, this process began in childhood.  Teaching our children and new believers should be one of our top priorities.  Our finest teachers, best resources, and most careful thought should be directed towards showing young believers how to follow God [Wall] in all life’s situations.

SCHEDULE

BIBLES THUMBS

(Aristotle)

Put time with God into yours:

Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. – Joshua 3.9

Just before crossing over into the promised land, Joshua gathered the people to hear the words of the Lord. Their excitement was high.  No doubt they wanted to rush on, but Joshua made them stop and listen.  We live in a fast-paced age where everyone rushes just to keep up.  It is easy to get caught up in our tasks, becoming too busy for what God says is most important – – listening to his words.  Before making your schedule, take time to focus on what God wants from all your activities.  Knowing what God has said before you rush into your day may help you avoid foolish mistakes.

(Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” – Joshua 3:5. Before entering the promised land, the Israelites were to perform a consecration (purification) ceremony.  This was often done before making a sacrifice or, as in this case, before witnessing a great act of God.  God’s law stated that a person could become unclean for many reasons – – eating certain foods (Leviticus 11); childbirth (Leviticus 12), disease (Leviticus 13, 14), touching a dead person (Numbers 19.11-22).  God used these various outward signs of uncleanness to illustrate man’s inward uncleanness that comes as a result of sin.  The consecration ceremony pictured the importance of approaching God with a pure heart.  Like the Israelites, we need God’s forgiveness before we approach him.)

(And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD – the Lord of all the earth – set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. – Joshua 3.13, 14. The Israelites were eager to enter the promised land, conquer nations, and live peacefully.  But first they had to cross the flood-level waters of the Jordan River.  God gave them specific instructions: in order to cross, the priests had to step into the water.  What if these priests had been afraid to take that first step?  Often God provides no solution to our problems until we trust him and move ahead with what we know we should do.  What are the rivers, or obstacles, in your life?  In obedience to God, take that first step into the water.)

THE BEGINNING AND THE END (In Revelations – Page 2319)

Charts

The Bible records for us the beginning of the world and the end of the world. The story of mankind, from beginning to end – from the fall into sin to redemption and God’s ultimate victory over evil – is found in the pages of the Bible.

GenesisRevelation
The sun is createdThe sun is not needed
Satan is victoriousSatan is defeated
Sin enters the human raceSin is banished
People run and hide from GodPeople are invited to live with God for ever
People are cursedThe curse is removed
Tears are shed, with sorrow for sinNo more sin, no more tears or sorrow
The garden and earth are cursedGod’s city is glorified, the earth is made new
The fruit from the tree of life is not tobe eatenGod’s people may eat from the tree of life
Paradise is lostParadise is regained
People are doomed to deathDeath is defeated, believers live for ever with God

TIME WITH THE DISCIPLES (Page 1894)

MAPS

Lazarus’ return to life because the last straw for the religious leaders, who were bent on killing Jesus.  So Jesus stopped his public ministry and took his disciples away from Jerusalem to Ephraim.  From there they returned to Galilee for a while (see the map in Luke 17.)

  • Mediterranean Sea
  • Galilee
  • Sea of Galilee
  • Jordan River
  • Samaria
  • Ephraim
    Perea
  • Jerusalem
  • Dead Sea
  • Judea
  • Idumea

THE NAMES OF JESUS (Page 2293)

Charts

ReferenceJesus’ nameReferenceJesus’ name
1:8The Alpha and the Omega5:5Root of David
1:8Lord5:6Lamb
1:8Almighty7:17Shepherd
1:13Son of Man12:10Christ
1:17The First and the Last19:11Faith and True
1:18The Living One
2:18Son of God19:13Word of God
3:14Witness19:16King of kings
4:11Creator19:16Lord of lords
5.5Lion of the tribe of Judah22:16The Morning Star

Scattered among the vivid images of the book of Revelation is a large collection of names for Jesus. Each one tells something of his character and highlights a particular aspect of his role within God’s plan.

MINISTRY BEYOND THE JORDAN (Page 1890)

MAPS

Jesus had been in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (7.2); then he preached in various towns, probably in Judea, before returning to to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication. He again angered the religious leaders, who tried to arrest him, but he left the city and went beyond the Jordan to preach.

  • Mediterranean Sea
  • Galilee
  • Sea of Galilee
  • Jordan River
  • Samaria
  • Perea
  • Jerusalem
  • Dead Sea
  • Judea
  • Idumea

SALVATION THROUGH FAITH (Page 2151)

Charts

 Religion by Self-effortSalvation by Faith
GoalPlease God by our own good deedsTrust in Christ and then live to please God
MeansPractice, diligent service, discipline, and obedience, in hope of rewardConfess, submit, and commit yourself to Christ’s control
PowerGood, honest effort through self-determinationThe Holy Spirit in us helps us do good work for Christ’s kingdom
ControlSelf-motivation; self-controlChrist in me; I in Christ
ResultsChronic guilt, apathy, depression, failure, constant desire for approvalJoy, thankfulness, love, guidance, service, forgiveness

Salvation by faith in Christ sounds too easy for many people. They would rather think that they have done something to save themselves.  Their religion becomes one of self-effort that leads either to disappointment or pride, but finally to eternal death.  Christ’s simple way is the only way, and it alone leads to eternal life.