“The king then ordered Doeg, ‘You turn and strike down the priests.’ So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.”
In the U.S. science fiction tv series Fringe, a perfect storm is set to happen via the collision of two parallel universes. This was in result of Walter Bishop, the genius scientist, opening a door to an alternate reality, which he did many years ago to save his son’s ‘other’ life. Such created an imbalance in both universes, but was more destructive to the other. Being equally smart, the parallel Walter exhausted everything from his more technologically advanced side to take back his son and make that personal vendetta. By everything it meant having to sacrifice countless innocent lives which he reasoned, ‘for the greater good’. Season 3 is still running under Fox TV, if you’re interested. We’re hooked :>
In today's reading, we see King Saul under a tamarisk tree trying to sales talk his tribesmen to loyalty by presenting them a list of non-benefits in David’s rule, given the latter's outlaw status: no rice allowance, no retirement coverage, no promotion. He was threatened by the ex-shepherd’s newly formed four hundred force that he called a meeting of his own. Saul’s paranoia lead him to command the slaughter of those he felt might be feeding the conspiracy - - even if they’re wearing the linen ephod. The kill extended to the priest's town, unsparing even their infants. Every ear who heard of it sure did tingle. It was barbaric, cruel and inhumane. All for the good of one selfish man and as a result of one lying man. It is believed Ahimelech descended from Eli’s line and this was part of their prophesied downfall. True of not, the point is that we all feel they don’t deserve such deaths. The high priest’s last deed was even kindness to the hungry David. How can life be so unfair?
Why should a marriage break for the infidelity of one? Why should innocent children inherit their parents’ sickness? Why do the diligent suffer with their incompetent bosses? Why do the wicked prosper? Job was upright and blameless, even commended by God himself, but his family, his wealth and health we’re all taken away from him. Nagged by his wife to curse God and die, he replied, ‘Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ And in all this, he did not sin in what he said. Many before us suffered far more than we ever will, yet they kept their faith. Jesus who knew no sin died for all of ours. It was unfair. But He endured it for the joy of our salvation. If Ahimelech knew his son would be able to escape Saul’s sword, that alone is worth praising God for. Parents would trade their lives for their children's. We may feel God has taken away something from us. But that only meant, He did first give. Do your accounting and for sure His side of the scale is weightier. How about your gratitude versus His daily grace? So unfair?
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