Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 28 June, 2020
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering …” (Col. 3:12)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Understanding Creation by Faith [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-19
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 9
I. The Truth of Creation
II. The Understanding of Faith
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
The Kingdom of God Versus the Kingdoms of Man (25)
Daniel’s Deliverance From the Lion’s Den [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Daniel 6:10-28
Text: Daniel 6:19-28
I. The Troubled King
II. The Divine Deliverance
III. The Royal Doxology
For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services, contact Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart or the elders
CPRC Website: www.cprc.co.uk • Live Webcast: www.cprc.co.uk/live-streaming
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quotes to Consider
C. F. Keil on Daniel 6:24: “The condemning to death of the wives and children along with the men was in accordance with Persian custom, as is testified by Herodotus, iii. 119, Amm[ianus] Marcell[inus] xxiii, 6. 81, and also with the custom of the Macedonians in the case of treason (Curtius, vi. ii.), but was forbidden in the law of Moses; cf. Deut. xxiv. 16.”
E. J. Young on Daniel 6: “This concludes the historical portion of the book. The author’s purpose has been to exhibit the wonder-working power of the sovereign God among those who held the people of God in bondage and thus to prepare the way for the deliverance of the latter. But a further lesson is also enjoined, and I cannot do better than to state it in the words of Thomas Myers, the editor of Calvin’s superb commentary. ‘Throughout these Lectures (i.e., on Dan. 1-6) we are ever taught that we can see God only by being pure in heart. The preparation for spiritual insight into holy mysteries is purity of conscience and singleness of eye. But even these able comments do not clear up everything. Our lot on earth must be to walk more by faith than by sight. This is the chief exercise of the soul, which is essential to its vitality and growth. We must have at times our mountains of vision as well as our valleys of the shadow of death. Never let us doubt the essential permanence of justice, and righteousness and truthfulness. By this we shall be borne up through regions of cloud into realms of light. Thus will our spirituality be strengthened and refined: thus we shall be permitted to obtain larger perceptions of God’s character and maturer judgments of his purposes.’”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Monday catechism classes at church:
5:30 PM – Angelica, Bradley, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Seniors NT)
6:15 PM – Corey & Katelyn (Juniors OT)
The Council meets on Monday night at 7 PM.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet at church to continue our consideration of faith as trust.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Spriensma is entitled, “Enoch Walks With God” (Gen. 5:22-24).
We are planning to resume worship together in the church next Lord’s Day. Please watch your e-mail for social distancing guidelines, etc.
Offerings: General Fund: £125.
Translation Additions: 2 Hungarian, 1 Indonesian and 1 Spanish.
PRC News: Kalamazoo PRC has formed a trio of Revs. Key, R. Kleyn and Spronk. Edmonton PRC called Rev. N. Langerak. Unity PRC called Rev. Eriks.
The Murder of Ishbosheth
Brian D. Dykstra
II Samuel 4
When the news of Abner’s murder reached Ishbosheth, “his hands were feeble.” Without Abner, the real power behind his throne, Ishbosheth did not know what to do, so he did nothing. “All the Israelites were troubled,” not knowing what would happen. Were people troubled because they wondered if another member of Saul’s family would step up to fight for the throne on Ishbosheth’s behalf or was the problem that they did not know who would make the final arrangements to have David recognized as the king of all of Israel?
While Ishbosheth did nothing and the people were troubled, there were two men who would take matters into their own hands. Rechab and Baanah were brothers from the tribe of Benjamin. One would expect them to have some loyalty for Saul’s family who were also part of Benjamin. However, now that Ishbosheth was a lost cause, the brothers would prepare for their futures by doing a favour for David. War is not as a sporting event where the losing side goes to the locker room, showers and goes home. Being on the losing side of a war has great consequences, especially for those in leadership positions.
Rechab and Baanah come to Ishbosheth’s house “about the heat of the day,” while Ishbosheth “lay on a bed at noon.” He should have been making arrangements to abdicate the throne to David or making battle plans to make one last stand for his kingdom. The fact he was on his bed might not be an indication of laziness. In parts of the world where it is too hot to work during the heat of the day, people will work in the morning, take a break during the hottest part of the day and then return to work during the cooler evening hours. Still, this was not a time for Ishbosheth to have a typical day. His situation was dire.
Rechab and Baanah arrive at Ishbosheth’s house under the pretence of fetching wheat. This is a hint that Rechab and Baanah were officers of some sort in Saul’s army. Officers would procure wheat for their men as payment for their services. They delivered the wheat to the soldiers during the afternoon so they could grind it the following morning. If there were guards there to protect Ishbosheth, they thought nothing of the arrival of these brothers.
Scripture uses several violent words to describe how the brothers murdered Ishbosheth. It seems these brothers were disgusted with this do-nothing king and were very eager to kill him to establish themselves in David’s good graces. They could eliminate this embarrassment of a king and have a secure future with David.
Rechab and Baanah finish their gruesome deed by beheading Ishbosheth. Perhaps they placed the head in a sack so, when they left the house, anyone there would assume the sack contained wheat. The brothers “gat them away through the plain all night.” Once the murder is discovered, Rechab and Baanah fear arrest. They want to put as much distance as they can between themselves and any pursuers.
The brothers arrive in Hebron with their grisly gift. Did they keep Isbosheth’s head hidden to be revealed only to David or were they brazen about it? If they carried the head openly as they walked the streets of Hebron, they must have drawn much attention. This attention could be what they wanted since they imagined they would be hailed as heroes by David’s followers. They certainly seemed pleased with themselves as they announce to David, “Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy.”
Rechab and Baanah anticipated their reward. Their works would have merit with David. They had carried out their plan without a hitch. How shocked they were when David announced that he would require Ishbosheth’s blood of their hands! David’s young men execute Rechab and Baanah, and cut off their hands and feet which were hung over the pool in Hebron. A pool was a busy place. Many people would see those hands and feet. The brothers had been very public about what they had done to Ishbosheth. David is equally public about his judgment of them.
Some day we will appear before a newly enthroned King. Will we rush to Him as eagerly as Rechab and Baanah rushed to David, ready to display our good works to merit with Him? If we tried to enter Christ’s kingdom based on our merit, we would learn what Christ thinks of the purity of our good works. Our good works would impress our King as much as Ishbosheth’s head impressed David. We must confess that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). Christ alone took away our sins and His perfect work of shedding His blood for His elect is all the merit we need.
