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 The Cornerstone 

This is the Stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the Chief Conerstone." Acts 4:11

Pulbished to Support the Work of the West End Church of Christ, Richmond, Virginia

Volume 6 *   Number 24*   June 11,  2006

A Wise Man & A Foolish Man

Along with our lesson this morning, we learn (Matthew 7) of Jesus’ teaching regarding two men.

The first man is a wise man

"Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man; which built his house upon a rock." (Matthew 7:24)

This man is wise because he hears the sayings of Jesus and does them. This is likened unto his building his house upon a rock. The house is secure. The house, while it is beaten upon by water and wind, remains upright because of it’s foundation. He is a wise man who builds his life upon the sayings of Jesus.

The second man is a foolish man

"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand."

This man is a fool because he hears the sayings of Jesus, but does not build his life upon them. His house, while it is beaten upon by water and rain, is not secure. He is a fool who suffers great loss and ruin for his unrighteousness not doing the sayings of Jesus.

James spoke of these same two men

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whosoever looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, be being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deeds." James 1:22-25

Which man are you?

Stacy Crim

DAVID’S BROTHERS

Dennis Tucker

A lot of attention is directed toward David in the Bible. He was the son of Jesse (1 Samuel 16.8ff), handsome (v. 12), a "man after God’s own heart" (Acts 13.22); a great warrior, King of Israel , and in the lineage of Christ. However, what about his brothers?

David was the youngest of seven sons born to Jesse, 1 Samuel 16.10-11. Eliab was the oldest, Abinadab the next, and Shammah the third, 1 Samuel 17.13. We have to go to 1 Chronicles 2 to get the rest of the names; 14 the fourth Nathaniel, the fifth Raddai, 15 the sixth Ozem and the seventh David.

One telling story of David’s brothers says the three oldest go off to war with King Saul. In 1 Samuel 17 we read of the army of Israel encamped at the Valley of Elah with the Philistines on the opposite side. It is here that Goliath challenged the men of Israel to bring forth their best warrior. If the Israelite could defeat Goliath then the Philistines would serve them, if he killed the Israelite they would serve the Philistines. No one from the camp of Israel would accept the challenge. Verse 17states David brought food for his brothers at the camp and hears Goliath’s challenge. David responds by asking two questions. "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach of Israel ? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God" (v. 26). It is at this point we learn about the character of Eliab. "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle." (v. 28).

Eliab was angry at David because it is one thing to not accept a challenge and another to be ridiculed by a younger brother. In Proverbs we are warned of the danger of anger. Proverbs 27:4 "wrath is cruel and anger a torrent." In Ephesians we are told to be angry and not sin, chapter 4 verse 26. Anger is a dangerous emotion when it is allowed to go unchecked. Jesus cast out the money changers from the temple. We should be angry at sin and its allure. We should not react with anger when someone is doing what is right. Galatians 6.1 speaks of going to a brother in sin. How do we respond when someone comes to us expressing concern for our soul?

Eliab lacked the faith of David. Where David saw a challenge and opportunity, Eliab saw defeat. Where David acted with faith, Eliab saw a giant and was afraid. 2 Corinthians 5.7 says, "We walk by faith and not by sight." How often do we see road blocks instead of opportunities? Eliab saw a giant instead of God’s power. David knew the greatness of God and His ability to deliver who ever would stand up to this giant. "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel , whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you." (1 Samuel 17.45-46a) Do we walk by faith and not by sight? What do we see God in the world around us? Do we see at growing community with limitless possibilities for Bible studies and conversions or do we see closed doors and a society not interested in the Bible?

It is one thing to be near the action it is another to get involved. Eliab and his other two brothers were good at playing soldiers. They were in camp lined up like soldiers, but not fighting. We also fool ourselves into thinking we are in the Lord’s battle when we are watching others. We need to make sure that we are not talking about our faith but are working in our faith. "But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you may faith by my works" (James 2.18). Talk is cheap.

Eliab thought David should go back to his "few sheep" and leave the fighting to the real men. He failed to realize tending the sheep would train David to be a great leader and warrior. David killed a lion and a bear while tending the sheep, 1 Samuel 17.34. It is the small job that prepares for future. We see this lesson taught in the Parable of the Talents. Matt 25:20 "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."

David did not come to look at the battle but to take part. How about you? Are you standing on the side lines watching or are you striving to live faithfully in God’s word?

 

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