Sunday, May 28, 2023

Don't Count Your Israelites

His main man told him not to. However 3000 years ago (1000BC) King David insisted that Joab count the people in Israel. 450 years earlier Moses had led the Israelites out of Egypt. Joshua led them across the Jordan River into the promised land. They had defeated their enemies. The 12 tribes of Israel were each given land as an inheritance. Life was good. And pride was starting to creep into David's thoughts.

Joab knew God would be unhappy with David's prideful thoughts. He only counted 10 of the 12 tribes. David immediately had a guilty conscious. He repented and was given a choice of one of three punishments, 3 years of drought, 3 months of defeat by enemies, or 3 days of a plague. He picked the plague and 70,000 Israelites died. How often it happens that our wrong choices not only affect ourselves but others as well.

Everything we are part of here on earth belong to God. Including our families. A simple solution to our (things) is to hang on loosely. That's best done by being generous. It's accomplished by not always keeping score. And it keeps us grounded to share what we own with others. After David repented and took his punishment, he built an alter and worshiped God. He then decided to build the temple on that very spot. God told him not yet. That would be his son's Solomon's job. However David collected materials and asked the Israelites to give and share. They were so generous they had to be asked to stop giving.

When we shovel out God shovels back. And God has a bigger shovel. We cannot outgive God. That promise doesn't guarantee an easy life. Sometimes it rains. Other times it doesn't. Just like in Bible times sometimes our leaders acknowledge God. And often there are other times when they don't. And we will have consequences to not including God. In all of David's tough times he said, "The Lord gives. And the Lord takes away. Blessed be the Lord". 

We are slowly applying treated dry Nitrogen to the corn crop. Since it takes rain to activate we're dragging our feet a little. Kudos to Alex for spreading and Jon and Pablo for tendering to the field.
Dry is good for haying. Our humidity has been in the teens on many afternoons. And BJ has spent all week baling for us and others. He usually square bales alfalfa to sell at the Amish auctions next winter. And he round bales the grass hay for stock cow herds.
We have three custom work jobs left on second pass corn spraying. Kudos to Kurt and Karl for running the sprayers. And Jim, Jon, Pablo, and others for tendering product to the field. Dry weather creates the most beautiful early mornings and late evenings. Thanks for the picture Karl. We will start second pass soybeans as soon as the corn is finished.
It's often a goal of mine to have started mowing road ditches by Memorial Day weekend. And I was thankful for the time to spend a couple of days working on that. We have also started spraying fencerows.
As you have probably noticed I've mentioned we are dry. Here at home we haven't had a rain over a half inch all spring. However the small crops look great. The best looking crops this spring are tilled. Also fall applied hog honey crops are extra exceptional this year.
This past Thursday evening Becky and Brian's Elliot graduated from 8th grade at Pella Christian Grade School. Elliot is a little quieter than some, however his mind never stops thinking. Congratulations Elliot.
Memorial Day weekend is for remembering. A lot of things. Including those we've lost. And those who gave their lives serving our country. Like Roger who was my Dad's cousin and best friend. He died in Germany in 1954 I think. He had six sisters. Betty, Gert, Rosie, Pat, Sharon, and Darlene. In 1956 I was named after Roger. This plaque is on First CRC's church sign north of the building.
One last thought about King David. He had his share of kid troubles making poor choices. Like Absalom and Adonijah. They fought pride, greed, lust, and hate. The Bible says David didn't correct or discipline them. They both tried to take the kingship from their father David. Hate led to murder and they were both killed. However David worked with his son Solomon. In 1st Chronicles the story says David told Solomon to be strong (give 100%). To be courageous (take responsibility). And to lead the Israelites as king (care about others).
So when God asked Solomon what he needed to rule, he asked for wisdom. And God was pleased. And we credit Solomon for making a good choice.  We also need to remember his father gave him advice.

So what's the takeaway on this weekend of remembering. We serve a God of second chances. Our failures don't have to define us. David and Solomon both wrote scriptures we still read and use today. This David story came along in my Bible reading this past week. Some month read a Proverb chapter a day. Solomon also wrote Ecclesiastes which we quoted last week. Below we drained a 60 year old pond Friday. Thanks for stopping by.


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