Saul as Adam, David as Christ

"For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." -Romans 5:19

When the people of Israel demanded a king, they got one. And because of Saul the people added to their sins. Samuel says this in 1 Sam. 12:19, "Pray for you servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king." Nevertheless God was faithful. Verse 22 says, "For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for Himself." Despite this Saul's disobedience did not end there. Saul acted rashly on several occasions, blatantly defying the commands of the Lord. In chapter 14 of 1 Samuel, Saul makes a vow that the people of Israel will not eat until Saul had vengeance on the Philistines. The Israelites had victory over the Philistines, but were so hungry that they slaughtered and began eating the Philistine livestock with the blood in opposition to the law. Verse 33: "Behold the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood." Saul's disobedience caused many to sin.

But while Saul was disobedient, David was obedient. When God called David to fight Goliath he did and ascribed all of his power and victory to the Lord, resting on the Lord's faithfulness, not his own ambitions.

When David delivered Israel the first time it was in a way that none would have anticipated. A boy, a sling, and five stones. When Christ delivered us, He did it without military might or supernatural force. He did it with a humble death in the most despicable of circumstances. How many expected that?

"Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better tan sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams." -1 Samuel 15:22

An Important Conversation

Last fall I attended the 2007 Desiring God National Conference. Twice over the weekend the speakers sat down and answered questions that were immediately relevant to the theme of the conference, Stand: A Call for the Endurance of the Saints. It was a time marked by transparency and humility and had an immense impact on the way that I view ministry.

Below is a clip from the first of the two conversations. John Piper and John MacArthur answered questions from Justin Taylor. You can also view both conversations in their entirety as well as the rest of the sessions at desiringGod.org.



You will notice that there is nothing earth-shattering about what either man said. However, they were, and still are, faithful to the fundamental principles of Scripture and God has grown their ministries. It is encouraging to my heart to hear faithful servants attribute their success in ministry, not to a magic formula that they applied to their situation or to doing all the right things, but to the faithfulness of God.

I Love My Future Wife

New ESV Study Bible

There is a new ESV Study Bible coming out in October. Take a look at it.

I also wanted to compile some resources related to the English Standard Version. They have been helpful in making the case for the ESV in my mind.

1. ESV.org
2. John Piper: Good English with Mimimal Translation
3. Mark Driscoll: Pastoral Reflections on Bible Translations
4. Ligonier Ministries: About the English Standard Version Translation
5. Endorsements for the Reformation Study Bible (ESV)