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The Last Jews of Babylon – A Prophetic Cycle At It’s End
“I have no future here to stay.”
Written in broken English but with perfect clarity, the message is a stark and plaintive assessment from one of the last Jews of Babylon.
The community of Jews in Baghdad is now all but vanished in a land where their heritage recedes back to Abraham of Ur, to Jonah’s prophesying to Nineveh, and to Nebuchadnezzar’s sending Jews into exile here more than 2,500 years ago.
Just over half a century ago, Iraq’s Jews numbered more than 130,000. But now, in the city that was once the community’s heart, they cannot muster even a minyan, the 10 Jewish men required to perform some of the most important rituals of their faith. They are scared even to publicize their exact number, which was recently estimated at seven by the Jewish Agency for Israel, and at eight by one Christian cleric. That is not enough to read the Torah in public, if there were anywhere in public they would dare to read it, and too few to recite a proper Kaddish for the dead.
Among those who remain is a former car salesman who describes himself as the “rabbi, slaughterer and one of the leaders of the Jewish community in Iraq.”
Although many of his Muslim friends and immediate neighbors know he is Jewish (“I’m proud, I’m Jewish, not ashamed. I’m not hiding,” he wrote at one point.), he was wary of being named because it could draw more dangerous attention to him or his friends. To protect him, he is referred to as Saleh’s grandson, because his or his father’s name would be too easily recognizable here. Interviews with him were conducted by correspondence over the course of several months.
He lamented that Jews in Baghdad had had no meeting place since the Meir Tweig synagogue, the last in the city, was closed in 2003, after it became too dangerous to gather openly.
“I do my prayer in my house because we closed the synagogue from the war until now. If we open it, it will be a target,” he wrote, adding later: “I have no future here, I can’t marry, there is no girl. I can’t put my kova on my head out of the house. If I’m out of Iraq, I’ll share with people in all our feasts and do my prayer in the synagogue and will be with my family.”
Now in his early 40s, he exists as anonymously and discreetly as he can. He cannot reliably hide his religion: it is stamped on his official identity card, which he must present at any security checkpoint. So he stays mainly in his own neighborhood, protected by Muslim neighbors who have been family friends for decades.
He is a very cautious man. After contact with him was first established through an intermediary, and his identity was confirmed by his family abroad, he consented to speak directly for only a few moments over the telephone. Even that was just to propose a safer way to correspond, under a version of his name different from the one that other Iraqis know.
His fears are all too real in a city where bodies are still found dumped in the street almost daily, despite a fall in the overall death toll.
Christians, a far larger group, have fled Iraq by the thousands, and even Sunni and Shiite Muslims, who live among millions of their fellows, remain fearful of religious and sectarian fanatics.
Jews were once a wealthy and politically active part of the spectrum of Iraq. In a fading red volume of the Iraq Directory of 1936, the “Israelite community,” then numbering about 120,000, is listed along with Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and Sabeans. Rescued from a Baghdad library, this book lists Hebrew among the six languages of Iraq and describes a country in which “the mosque stands beside the church and the synagogue.”
However, the directory predates decades of trauma: the 1941 Farhud pogrom in which more than 130 Jews were killed during the Feast of Shavuot, World War II, the Holocaust, the anti-Zionism of Saddam Hussein and the post-2003 rise of Islamic militants.
Most traces of Jews are now gone beside the Prat and the Hidekel rivers, the Hebrew names for the Euphrates and Tigris. Baghdad’s Jewish quarter, in Taht al-Takia, is no more. And about 80 miles south of Baghdad lies the Hebrew-inscribed tomb of the Prophet Ezekiel, “son of Buzi.” During a visit there on Saturday, dozens of Muslim pilgrims filed through the well-tended shrine, its interior blackened by centuries of lamp smoke, to honor Ezekiel as a respected prophet.
Among these fragments of their civilization live the moribund huddle of holdouts.
Saleh’s grandson is now alone. His mother died two decades ago, his older brother left in 1991, and his father, now 87, was among the last handful of Jews taken from Iraq by the Jewish Agency after 2003, reducing the current community to single figures.
Most of his other relatives departed in 1951, among more than 100,000 Jews who fled Iraq between 1949 and 1952, in the years after the state of Israel was created. Their exodus was code named “Operation Ezra and Nehemiah,” after the Jewish leaders who took their people back to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon beginning in 597 BC
Some of the remaining handful of Iraqi Jews are middle class, including two doctors. Others, including Saleh’s grandson, are poor and unemployed, dependent on handouts.
“We see each other if there is something necessary, like a death, or to discuss some important things, or if someone needs help,” he wrote. “We take care about the people in the Jewish community only, not the half or part-Jewish. We don’t know about them after they left us.”
Some Jews say they are too old to leave. Some do not want to leave their friends behind.
The few remaining Jews ignore the entreaties of worried relatives and friends abroad and await an unlikely renaissance, demographic extinction or a more sudden end.
Concern for their safety rose two years ago when one of them, a middle-aged man, was kidnapped. They have no idea whether he was taken because he was Jewish, wealthy, or whether the abduction was random.
“We don’t know anything about him, and don’t know the reason,” Saleh’s grandson said.
His relatives voice frustration at his insistence on remaining in Iraq, saying he cannot be persuaded to relinquish the family home. He wants to sell it for $300,000 to help build a new life abroad but has had no takers.
“I talk with him all the time,” said his older brother, who lives in Europe and requested anonymity to protect his brother. “I call him every two weeks, and always I give him advice to leave, because it is dangerous, and because he needs to build his life and to find a wife.”
The family argues that if buyers were going to come forward they would have done so long ago. They say that in Iraq’s current instability, an unscrupulous buyer could simply steal the money back, knowing that Saleh’s grandson would have no recourse without a tribe to protect him.
“Now there is nobody buying because of the situation in Sadr City,” his brother said. “I keep telling him, ‘Money is nothing.’ ”
The Jewish Agency for Israel, an organization that arranges immigration to the Holy Land, has offered to relocate the entire group. “Should the remaining Jews in Baghdad request to immigrate to Israel, the Jewish Agency will immediately facilitate this request and also take care of their absorption needs in Israel,” said Zeev Bielski, the agency’s chairman.
However, Michael Jankelowitz, an agency spokesman, conceded: “They are not interested in leaving. Their philosophy is, ‘We are old, no one is affecting our day-to-day life. If we have to leave, we know how to contact the Jewish Agency.’ ”
His son says he knows the risks. “I’d like to leave, but I have my house, I can’t leave it,” he wrote. “I have no future here to stay.”
He insists that he has responsibilities to his fellow Iraqi Jews, no matter how few in number.
“If I’m faithful in GOD, I’m not afraid of anything,”.
- From Prophecy News Watch
Proverbs 12:10
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
See here, 1. To how great a degree a good man will be merciful; he has not only a compassion for the human nature under its greatest abasements, but he regards even the life of his beast, not only because it is his servant, but because it is God’s creature, and in conformity to Providence, which preserves man and beast. The beasts that are under our care must be provided for, must have convenient food and rest, must in no case be abused or tyrannised over. Balaam was checked for beating his ass. The law took care for oxen. Those therefore are unrighteous men that are not just to the brute-creatures; those that are furious and barbarous to them evidence, and confirm in themselves, a habit of barbarity, and help to make the creation groan, Rom. 8:22.
2. To how great a degree a wicked man will be unmerciful; even his tender mercies are cruel; that natural compassion which is in him, as a man, is lost, and, by the power of corruption, is turned into hard-heartedness; even that which they will have to pass for compassion is really cruel, as Pilate’s resolution concerning Christ the innocent, I will chastise him and let him go. Their pretended kindnesses are only a cover for purposed cruelties.
- Matthew Henry Commentary
John 4:11
Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with.
John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
The greatest compliment you can pay to man or woman is to say that they attract without adornment. There are some who would reveal their birth in any garb – in the meanest, in the poorest. You might clothe them in rags; you might lodge them in hovels; but their speech would betray them to be “not of Galilee.” They have nothing to draw with, but they themselves draw.
So it is with Thee, Thou Son of the Highest. Thou hast nothing to attract but Thine own beauty. Thou hast put off the best robe of the Father; Thou hast assumed the dress of the prodigal son. It is in a soiled garment that Thou hast solicited my love. Thou hast come to me footsore and weary – a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Thou hast asked me to share Thy poverty. Thou hast said: “Wilt thou come with Me to the place where the thorns are rifest, to the land where the roses are most rare?
Wilt thou follow Me down the deep shadows of Gethsemane, up the steep heights of Calvary? Wilt thou go with Me where the hungry cry for bread, where the sick implore for health, where the weary weep for rest? Wilt thou accompany Me where pain dwells, where danger lurks, and alleys where the poor meet and struggle and die? Wilt thou live with Me where the world passes by in scorn, where fashion paused not to rest, where even disciples have often forsaken Me and fled?
Then is thy love complete, My triumph perfected. Then have I reached the summit of human glory; for thou hast chosen Me for Myself alone, and without the aid of earth I have drawn thy heart to heaven. – George Matheson.
A Man of sorrows, of toil and tears,
An outcast Man and a lonely;
But He looked on me, and through endless years
Him must I love – Him only.
And I would abide where He abode,
And follow His steps for ever;
His people my people, His God my God,
In the land beyond the river.
And where He died would I also die,
For dearer a grave beside Him,
Then a kingly place amongst living men,
The place which they denied Him.
- The Christian’s Daily Challenge: E.F. & L. Harvey
At churches in Baghdad this week, Christians are being asked for identification to determine if they have names that security force members recognize as Christian. Some churches around the northern city of Mosul are digging in, surrounding their buildings with giant earthen berms to prevent car bombers from getting too close. For Christians in Iraq, this will be a year of canceled holiday celebrations and of Christmas Masses spent under the protective watch of police officers and soldiers because of a spate of threats by extremist groups to bomb churches on Christmas Day.
2009 was the year in which “global” swept the rest of the political lexicon into obscurity. There were “global crises” and “global challenges”, the only possible resolution to which lay in “global solutions” necessitating “global agreements”. The word “global” has taken on sacred connotations. Any action taken in its name must be inherently virtuous, whereas the decisions of individual countries are necessarily “narrow” and self-serving. There is a whiff of totalitarianism about this new theology, in which the risks are described in such cosmic terms that everything else must give way.
Mexico City, one of Latin America’s largest metropolises, on Monday legalized same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples. By a vote of 39 to 20, the city’s legislative assembly approved revisions to the civil code to permit same-sex marriages. Five legislators abstained. In a separate motion, the assembly voted 31 to 24 in favor of legalizing adoption by same-sex couples, with nine abstentions.
Democratic senators worked toward making health care reform their Christmas gift. The bill moved a significant step forward in a vote held shortly after 1 am ET. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was able to hold together all 58 Democrats and two independents to overcome unanimous GOP opposition in a 60-40 vote. Sixty votes was the minimum amount needed to move the bill forward. Senate Democrats and President Obama touted the momentum behind the package, which is set for a Christmas Eve vote.
Christer and Annie Johansson, a Christian homeschooling family, are in the unimaginable position of permanently losing custody of their only child, seven-year-old Dominic Johansson, simply because they homeschool. Swedish authorities boarded a plane bound for India in June of this year (Annie’s home country) and removed Dominic from his parents. They did not have a warrant nor have they charged the Johanssons with a crime; they simply did not believe homeschooling is an appropriate way to raise a child and insist the government raise Dominic.
Elements of Eastern faiths and New Age thinking have been widely adopted by 65 percent of US adults, including many who call themselves Protestants and Catholics, according to a survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released Wednesday. Syncretism – mashing up contradictory beliefs like Catholic rocker Madonna’s devotion to a Kabbalah-light version of Jewish mysticism – appears on the rise. And, according to the survey’s other major finding, devotion to one clear faith is fading.
Western powers concerned over Tehran’s apparent successful test of Sejil-2 surface-to-surface missile. “Tests only undermine Iran’s claims of peaceful intentions,” says White House spokesman. “At a time when the international community has offered Iran opportunities to begin to build trust and confidence, Iran’s missile tests only undermine Iran’s claims of peaceful intentions,” White House spokesman Mike Hammer said.
China is preparing to build three times as many nuclear power plants in the coming decade as the rest of the world combined, a breakneck pace with the potential to help slow global warming. Yet inside and outside the country, the speed of the construction program has raised safety concerns. China has asked for international help in training a force of nuclear inspectors.
The Falashmura “problem” was created after the vast majority of Ethiopian Jews were brought to Israel in Operation Solomon in 1991. The Falashmura, descendents of Jews who converted to Christianity in the 19th century and for the most part stayed in close touch with Jews, remained behind. In Israel, the Chief Rabbinate ruled that they are “totally Jewish,” but demanded that they undergo conversion in order to dispel any doubt.
Up to 20,000 Indian Christians face Christmas as refugees – two years after a wave of attacks by militant Hindus in the state of Orissa. Release International warns many displaced by the worst sectarian rioting in India are still unable to return to their villages for fear of death or forcible conversion to Hinduism.
Russia’s foreign minister says Moscow and Washington will sign a new nuclear arms deal shortly. Sergey Lavrov sounded upbeat Wednesday when asked about the prospects for a quick successor deal to the 1991 START I treaty that expired Friday. He told reporters the agreement will be signed soon, but gave no details. The agreement obliged each country to cut nuclear warheads by at least a quarter, to about 6,000 and included detailed verification procedures.
The European Union is meeting in Brussels to discuss a Swedish proposal to divide Jerusalem and make east Jerusalem the Palestinian capital. Prior to Monday’s scheduled meeting, Israeli officials began pressuring EU foreign ministers to reject the plan. The Israeli daily Ma’ariv reported that the draft resolution also adds, “Europe has never recognized Jerusalem’s annexation” and “The European Union will not recognize any changes to ’67 borders unless agreed upon by both states.”
The politics of the Arabic-speaking world are going to face some serious challenges during 2010. Probably none of them, however, will have anything to do with the Arab-Israeli issue, despite the overwhelming attention and exaggerated importance usually given to that question by outside observers.
Unquestionably, the leading problem will be dealing with an increasingly powerful Iran and its sidekick Syria which aren’t being contained by the United States. The Arabs, after all, live in the neighborhood and if they conclude that America can’t or won’t protect them, they’ll have to cut their own deal combined with finding some way to defend themselves better.
Already we’ve seen huge gains for Iran in 2009 which U.S. policymakers seem largely to ignore:
–The Saudis have reduced their level of confrontation with Iran and Syria, especially abandoning their attempt to block Tehran’s influence in Lebanon.
–The Lebanese moderate May 14 movement has bowed to Iranian-backed Hizballah in setting up a government which won’t do anything Tehran doesn’t like.
–While the full extent of Iranian intervention in Yemen is not clear, it seems like Tehran is backing a tribal revolt which is extending its influence into a new area.
–Western reluctance to raise sanctions and the ease with which Iran fooled and made fools of the West over the nuclear weapons’ issue seems to show that Iran holds the stronger hand. Russia and China are basically defending Iran’s interests in avoiding international pressure. Despite the Obama Administration having set dedlines of September and December, as 2010 begins, the implementation of higher sanctions is still months away.
–While many think that opposition demonstrations and protests have weakened the regime, in a real sense it emerged as stronger. Other factions were forced out of the leadership; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders occupied more positions of importance. The spiritual guide accepted both the IRGC role and the reelection of President Ahmadinejad, despite his past economic mismanagement and the supposed international or domestic costs. In other words, the regime proved how tough it was which in that part of the world is a major asset.
–Iran seems to have stepped up efforts to extend its influence in southwestern Afghanistan, despite the U.S. military presence there.
Will this march continue in 2010? One of the things that the Obama Administration doesn’t realize is that it’s obvious unwillingness to confront Iran is demoralizing its allies in the Arabic-speaking world whose lives are on the line. If the United States won’t even use tough rhetoric or sanctions how could it be possibly counted on if things get really rough?
Consequently, it’s hard to see Arab states taking a tougher stand during 2010, though if Iran provokes them by getting caught doing internal subversion in Egypt or Saudi Arabia, for example, they could feel forced to take a stand.
A potential crisis is succession in Egypt. Will this be the year that President Husni Mubarak has to stand down? If so, there would be the long-awaited transition, forcing a final decision on whether or not the ill-prepared Gamal Mubarak is going to become president. Gamal is in many ways the West’s dream of an Arab president, Westernized and a technocrat, but could that mean he lacks the skills to keep Egypt stable?
Another issue to watch is the power balance in Lebanon, a delicate mechanism to say the least. Will Hizballah be content to get a long list of things it wants: a free hand for its militia, unlimited weapons’ imports, the country’s servility to Syria, a green light to attack Israel whenever it wants (though it is unlikely to do so this year), and an end to investigations about its own (and Syria’s) involvement in terrorism and murders within Lebanon? Or will it push harder to seize hegemony in the country?
Finally, there is Iraq, whose government is still fighting a terrorist war sponsored by Syria and Iran. As the American withdrawal proceeds will those two countries step up the violence in order to make it look as if the United States is running away in defeat? Here, the Obama Administration has not backed Iraq’s complaints about Syrian involvement in terrorism, thus undermining another ally. Baghdad’s current policy is, however, to remain on good terms with both Washington and Tehran if possible.
If this list makes it sound like nothing good is going to happen in the Arabic-speaking world in2010 then you’ve read it correctly.
The story of the United States and Iran regarding sanctions and pressures reminds me of Woody Allen’s joke in the film “Sleeper” after he awakes following 2000 years asleep: My analyst was a strict Freudian and if I’d been going four times a week all this time I’d be cured by now.
The proposal to send Senator John Kerry to Iran is one more signal that the Obama Administration seemingly will do anything to avoid, or at least postpone, increasing sanctions on Iran because of that country’s nuclear weapons’ drive. Such a move can only be taken by Tehran as further proof–in its eyes–of American cowardice. Obviously, this gambit would gain nothing.
In addition, the choice of Kerry is a very bad one. Despite his distinguished appearance and unearned reputation for international sophistication, Kerry is known in the Senate as one of its dumbest and least accomplished members. In 30 years, he has not initiated a single idea, piece of legislation, or even memorable speech.
And, of course, he would be eager to make some—almost any–deal for his own personal glory and reluctant to be really tough lest he, and the Obama Administration which he supports, would appear to be a failure.
This is a terrible choice and it sends a dangerous signal. Hopefully, Iran’s regime will reject it. Nowadays we are reduced to hoping that our enemies’ arrogance and intransigence will force democratic governments to get a backbone.
Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. His latest books are The Israel-Arab Reader (seventh edition), The Long War for Freedom: The Arab Struggle for Democracy in the Middle East (Wiley), and The Truth About Syria (Palgrave-Macmillan). To read and subscribe to MERIA, GLORIA articles, or to order books.To see or subscribe to his blog, Rubin Reports.
In contrast to my rather gloomy assessment of the Obama Administration’s prospects in the Middle East, Israel’s prospects look rather good. This is granted, of course, that the chances for any formal peace (note the word “formal”) with the Arab states or the Palestinians are close to zero. In addition there are two longer-term threats in the form of Iranian nuclear weapons and Islamists one day taking over one or more Arab states.
But let’s enjoy ourselves while we can. It’s also important to remember in the Middle East, optimism does not mean forecasting blue skies but merely ones only lightly overcast.
It’s funny, though, how much better Israel’s situation is then it’s generally perceived. Consider the pluses:
–The potential of a clash with the United States has been averted, most likely for the remainder of President Barack Obama’s term. All the lessons received by the United States in the region—to whatever extent it learned them—are favorable to Israel, showing how ready Israel is to help U.S. efforts at the same time as demonstrating how hard it is to get peace and how limited is the other’s side’s cooperation or flexibility. The possibility of U.S. rapprochement with Iran or Syria has been destroyed by the latter
–On the surface the situation with Israel looks dreadful but where it counts the support is sufficient. France, Germany, and Italy have friendly governments while in Britain an acceptably positive regime is about to be replaced by a warmer one. (It helps to have low expectations.)
–Despite their rhetoric, Palestinian Authority (PA) leaders are basically satisfied with the status quo. Their strategies for forcing more concessions from Israel without giving anything leave them smug but without prospects for success. The danger of a Hamas takeover has been averted. The economic situation on the West Bank is about as good as it’s ever been. And the PA rulers prefer to avoid renewed violence. That’s not nirvana but it ain’t bad either.
–Hizballah doesn’t want renewed war this year, seeking to carry out revenge terrorist attacks away from the Lebanon-Israel border. Hamas is probably cowed enough by the early 2009 fighting (outside observers still don’t realize the extent to which its gunmen broke, ran away, and hid behind civilians, but the Hamas leadership knows), though this can’t be taken for certain.
–While the international economic slump has hit Israel, the country has been more insulated than one might have dared hope from its negative effects. Its remarkable technical innovation on hi-tech, science, medical, and agricultural technology continues to make rapid progress.
–Israel has a government with a high level of popular support which really seems—after so much ineptness and ingenious plans that didn’t do much good—to be on track. There is, by Israeli standards, a high degree of national consensus.
–Iran still doesn’t have nuclear weapons.
That’s not at all a bad list. There are many who think that Israel cannot flourish, perhaps cannot even survive, without having formal peace with the Palestinians or perhaps also Syria and the Arabic-speaking world in general. This is simply untrue. The lack of a signed peace treaty with everyone (not to mention that such documents exist with Egypt and Jordan) is not the same as war. From the usual standards of no war, no peace this is a pretty good one.
Of course, there are negatives yet they really don’t amount to anywhere near as much as it seems on a superficial glance. The virtual defection of Turkey’s regime from the Western alliance (yes, it really is that bad) and the end of the special relationship between Jerusalem and Ankara is a bad thing. But the Turkish semi-Islamist rulers are restrained by their desire to play a role in regional peacemaking and not to make the Americans or Europeans too angry.
Most distressing of all is the noise. The virulent hatred of Israel by large sections of the American and especially European intelligentsia goes along with the endless outpouring of academic, media, and EU sniping can be dispiriting. Yet even here there is some silver lining. The more extreme and outright crackpot the attacks, the less credible they are. Public opinion polls, especially in the United States where they are through the roof, are not so bad. In addition, the lies and screaming have little material effect on the region itself. Something to worry about but don’t lose sleep.
What’s most important of all is this: A willingness to assess your problems accurately, guided by reasonable expectations. Not being crippled with ideology, blinded by misconceptions, swayed by bad international advice and the desire to be popular. And with determination and courage to implement policies that do the best with the hand you’ve been dealt.
If only others were doing the same thing, the world—and especially the Middle East—would be a better and more peaceful place.
Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. His latest books are The Israel-Arab Reader (seventh edition), The Long War for Freedom: The Arab Struggle for Democracy in the Middle East (Wiley), and The Truth About Syria (Palgrave-Macmillan). To read and subscribe to MERIA, GLORIA articles, or to order books.To see or subscribe to his blog, Rubin Reports.
Judges 2:1
And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. [Dake]
God has kept and always will keep His part of any contract with any people.
Israel did not go under the curse of defeat, captivity, dispersion, and judgment from God because He broke the covenant. The people were to blame.
He told them plainly what He would do if they broke it, so He could not do otherwise [Lev. 26; Dt. 28].
Even yet, God promises that when they come back to repentance and keep His covenant that He will restore them as in the days of old [Dt. 4:25-31; 30:1-10; Isa. 11:10-16; Jer. 23:1-8; 30:1-31:40; 32:38; 37:1-28; Amos 9:9-15; Zeph. 3:8-20; Zech. 8:3-8, 20-23; 12;10-13:9; 14:14-21; Mt. 24:31; Rom. 11:25-29].
God is as quick to accuse and judge when the time comes to do so, as He is to bless. It is God who charges anyone who transgresses with sin, not man [Rom. 8:33-34; 14:4; 1 Cor. 11:32].
If we are as persuaded as Paul to permit nothing to separate us from God we are secure [Rom. 8:35-39], and if we practice Paul’s method of keeping the body under subjection we shall never be a cast-away [1 Cor. 9:27]; but if we go into sin we shall die spiritually; and if we persist in sin refusing to repent and live right we shall be cut off from God forever [Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13; 11:11-29; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8; Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29; 2 Pet. 2:20:21].
- Dake A.R. Bible: page 290.
1 Samuel 20:41
As soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
David’s distress in leaving his true and tried friend Jonathan, the loss of his wife and home with all its comforts, the loss of his relatives, friends, and beloved people of Israel, his country and inheritance, and above all the altars of God, would naturally cause him to exceed in weeping.
David was not a mere boy any more; he was a full grown man, a man of war and as brave and powerful as the best, but he was crushed at the injustice meted out to him [v41].
He set an example of godliness that cannot be surpassed and became a pattern here for all others to imitate.
He could have killed Saul, organized an army of true followers in Israel, divided the kingdom and split the whole nation; but he neither sought power, personal gain, or vengeance in the least degree.
He did not linger to recruit sympathizers. He simply left everything to the providence of God to work out in His time and way.
- Dake A.R. Bible: page 329
1 Samuel 16:7, 10
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these. [Dake]
God had evidently directed Samuel to have every one of the 7 sons of Jesse pass before him, and then spoke in his ear in each case, to say this was not the right one [v7-10; 9:15].
When none were chosen Samuel knew something was wrong, because he had been directed to anoint one of Jesse’s family as king.
Upon inquiring he learned of another son who had been too busy to come to the feast. He was young and smaller than the others; but he was chosen of God who was looking on the heart and not the outward appearance.
The Lord saw him a man after His own heart [13:14; 16:7]. David was the youngest of Jesse’s 8 sons. He became a mighty man of valor [v 18].
He is referred to many times as a mighty warrior and able to do more than many others in combat. He killed a lion and a bear even as a youth [17:34-36].
His own mighty men acknowledged that he was worth 10,000 of them in war [2 Sam. 18:3].
As to bodily appearance, in youth he is described as ruddy, of a beautiful countenance, and good to look at. [v 13].
He had the true qualities of a king, but compared to his grown up brothers he was not even counted important enough to be urged to attend the feast [v 7-11].
- Dake A.R. Bible: page 328
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