Choose Your Victor: Lesson 1

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Early in the Bible history, an Old Testament warning was presented that a confronting/controlling nature is very prominent in humanity. Adam and Eve were just the start, this act of resisting God and His will because of our own will. God once again directs humanity(Cain), but this time with a deeper understanding provided of why humanity seems so challenged.  

Genesis 4:2-8 

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

The reason God disregarded Cain’s offer is another study within itself, so for the sake of the topic let’s dig into God’s statement to Cain. Unto you (Cain) shall be his (sin/selfish natural will) desire, and you (Cain) shall rule over him (Sin/selfish natural will). Clearly God has expressed something to Cain that Adam and Eve did not receive. Not just a commandment, but an Insite into the two natures battling for control. The nature that can hear God and His word and act upon it, and the nature that will consider God’s word in contempt and following through with its own natural desire, even to an extreme level. Consequences followed quickly.  

Genesis 4:9-12 

And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 

If there are two Old Testament kings that can be so close in time and place and yet so different it would be David and Solomon. From beginning to end they both had polar opposite beginnings, and ending. But they clearly demonstrate the subject of this study. Choices and their consequences. Whether for good, or choices that instilled challenges for the individual, or others. Let's compare some of the differences with these two kings. From beginning to end.

David: From a family of modest means, David is a shepherd from the fields, considered the least among his siblings.

Solomon: Born into royalty, never had a lack of necessities.

David: Anointed King but spent years in the wilderness because of the Saul’s desire to kill David.

Solomon: Anointed King and quickly had authority and control to put down his brother’s rebellion.

David: Spent his years in war and conflict, subjecting kings and kingdoms.

Solomon: Spent his years in the peace and safety of an established kingdom, and given peace on all sides until his latter years.

David: Desired to build a temple for God but was refused because of bloodshed and warfare.

Solomon: Tasked within a time of peace to build a temple for God.

David: David's Psalms reflects David’s heart for the kingdom, as well as victory and revenge on those who would speak evil of him. His zeal and faith in God is openly expressed.

Solomon: Proverbs reflect into what Solomon prayed for in the beginning to rule this kingdom. Wisdom.

David: David’s antithesis of his zeal and his proclaimed righteousness in Psalms? Self-regret over his sin and errors as well as a meek, committed, zealous spirit unto God.

Solomom: Solomons antithesis of the wisdom he once cherished and its peace? Ecclesiastes explains it clearly. This book shows a very different spirit and heart in Solomon’s latter life. He had begun pursuing humanistic wisdom and acting upon his own reasoning, not God's law. And its effect on Solomon is apparent. 

David: No matter the errors, David remained steadfast and faithful to God, and time and time again, “My servant David” was encouraged to the kings of Israel and Judah. This phrase is mentioned numerous times across multiple books of the bible. Such as: 2 Samuel, 1,2 Kings, 1,2 Chronicles, Psalms, Isaiah, Jerimiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Acts, Romans.

Solomon: Solomon came to a time where he completely disregarded God’s law, and it did exactly what God had warned this act would do, ensnare the kingdom into idolatry, Solomon included.

David: The end of David’s reign was a time of peace and prosperity for the kingdom through his chosen successor, Solomon.

Solomon: The end of Solomon’s reign marked the beginning of a divided kingdom, and a nation steeped in idolatry. Which would eventually cause the collapse and captivity of Israel in 722 BC, and Judah in 582 BC.

There are two individuals that are very close to each other in time and place but made very different choices in the end. One chose God above all things and through all things, even though hard times and personal failures were evident. And another whom all was handed to him, yet he eventually chose self-will indefinitely. That was devastating to the nation. In contrast to David who was held in high regard to the nation as an example of “My Servant David”. 

In summary of the review, it was not David’s impeccable performance in all things of God that kept him as an example (we can also consider the performance and restoration of previous Individuals we’ve mentioned), but rather the unshakable faithfulness, commitment, and picking up and moving on from the mistakes, and continuing on that narrow path. 

Solomon made other, very impactful choices. 

Read 1 Samuel 16  -  1 Kings 11 for a comprehensive understanding of David and Solomon.

In Hebrews 11 we're encouraged through many Old Testament examples of faith. Even though we just read of the occasional challenges of some, they’re still considered pillars of faith. This faith was made evident by steadfast choices, to believe, persevere, and act. Some chose there victor even through some deeply troubling times. 

Hebrews 11

4; By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5; By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

7; By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8; By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

11; Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

17; By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

20; By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21; By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22; By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23; By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24; By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

27; By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28; Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29; By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30; By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31; By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

32; And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33; Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34; Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Through faith, miraculous events happened in the lives of these individuals, and through the lives of these individuals. And not because life was easy, so it was easy to commit and believe. On the contrary! The next verse sums up the confidence of the individuals within the following verses. Why endure, or commit, in faith even when it seems the flesh (or our flesh life circumstances) are suffering, tempted, struggling, (enter your own description(s) here_______,________,_________)? 

35; Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36; And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37; They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39; And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40; God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

It’s clear that in Old Testament times, trials and temptations had come and choices were made which affected not just that individual, but other individuals as well at times. But even if suffering came, the promise of “a better resurrection” was on the horizon, and so it is with Paul’s statement in verse 40. Not proceeding Christ and the church, but with Paul, the church, and through Christ, those Old Testament individuals that were committed in faith even through trials have been “made perfect” and are now partakers of that “better resurrection”. More on that “better resurrection” in a later study.

In Choose Your Victor Lesson 2, we’ll learn that even in the New Testament era, choices were still being made, and they had their consequences just as in the Old Testament. Whether consequences for faith and commitment, or consequences for disregard and neglect for God and His word.