God's Ways are Perfect

“These were the potters and those who lived among plants and hedges. They lived there with the king for his work.” (1Chronicles 4:23)

In this part of chapter 4 of 1Chronicles, Ezra, who compiled all the information for Chronicles, recounts the descendants of Judah. Then at the end he adds this Scripture to explain the outcome of the tribe of Judah. They served the king making pottery and caring for the king’s grounds. They were also craftsmen which he mentions earlier. “And Meonothai fathered Ophrah. And Seraiah fathered Joab, the father of the Valley of the Craftsmen. For they were craftsmen.” (1Chronicles 4:14) And although the tribe of Judah had humble beginnings, it became an important tribe.

Jacob’s blessing over Judah spoke of his coming prominence. “Judah, may your brothers praise you. May your hand be in the neck of your enemies. May your father's sons bow before you. Judah is a lion's whelp. My son, you have gone up from the prey. He stooped, he crouched like a lion; and like a lioness, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. And the obedience of the peoples to him. Binding his foal to the vine, and his ass's colt to the choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. His eyes shall be sparkling with wine, and his teeth white from milk.” (Genesis 49:8-12) The Lord chose David from the tribe of Judah, a lowly sheep herder, but one who learned from an early age when caring for his father’s sheep to trust in the Lord, to commune with the Lord and to serve only the Lord.

Samuel in proclaiming that God had rejected Saul as king of Israel, says of David, “But now your kingdom shall not stand. Jehovah has sought Him a man after His own heart, and Jehovah has appointed him to be leader over His people, because you have not kept what Jehovah commanded you.” (1Samuel 13:14) And Luke records it again in narrating Paul’s speech in Antioch of the events leading to Jesus. “And afterward they asked for a king. And God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when He had removed him, He raised up David to them to be their king; to whom He also witnessed and said, I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after My own heart, who shall fulfill all My will. Of this man's seed God has raised to Israel, according to His promise, a Savior, Jesus; John having before proclaimed the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel, before His coming. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Who do you think that I am? I am not He. But behold, One comes after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose. Men, brothers, sons of the race of Abraham, and whoever among you fears God, the Word of this salvation is sent to you.” (Acts 13:21-26)

David received the promise that the Messiah, the Savior of the world and the eternal King of kings Whose kingdom would never end would come from him. Nathan tells David, “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.” (2Samuel 7:16-17) God promises David an eternal kingdom. The word eternal is not an earthly word. It speaks of eternity and of divinity.  It speaks of the kingdom of Jesus. Jesus comes from the lineage of David. “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1) The angel’s word to Mary confirms it. “And behold! You shall conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God shall give Him the throne of His father David.” (Luke 1:31-32)

One thing we see is that God is not surprised by anything that occurs here on earth. He knows the end from the beginning. “Remember former things from forever; for I am God, and no other is God, even none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from the past things which were not done, saying, My purpose shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure;” (Isaiah 46:9-10). And the Lord is ahead of everything, making provision for humanity. Peter preaches, filled with the Holy Spirit, to the myriads of celebrants at Pentecost. “Men, brothers, it is permitted to say to you with plainness as to the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit upon his throne, seeing this beforehand, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor would His flesh see corruption, God raised up this Jesus, of which we all are witnesses. Therefore, being exalted to the right of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you now see and hear. For David has not ascended into the heavens, but he says himself, "The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand until I place Your enemies as a footstool to Your feet." Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:29-36) Jesus reveals Who He is to John in His revelation. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify these things to you over the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright and Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)

The takeaway is that all things are possible with God. If you feel you are in a place of insignificance, God has better plans for you and for everyone who love Him, trust Him and serve Him. We are His children, and He has the best for His children. But like David, in our lowly place, do we love Him, trust Him and serve Him? Just like David’s lowly place was a place of preparation, our lowly place is a place of preparation, of learning and relying on Him. And even if it is, we should not look at it as a steppingstone to greater things, even if it is, but a time to strengthen and establish a solid relationship with the Lord with a willingness to remain there if it’s the Lord’s will.  We must be willing to say like Paul, “Not that I speak according to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.” (Philippians 4:11) God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows not only what we want, but what we are able and willing to do. And what He gives us and allows us is perfect.