“But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light” 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
Labels are essential.
They identify disease, awards, family connections, and a list too long to type
here. Descriptions let us know what we can expect…or do they? Are they always
accurate?
Names were certainly
important in biblical times. The names
of several towering figures were changed upon their conversion, or change of
heart. Some examples are: Paul, Sarah, Abraham, and Isaac.
Mephibosheth—(Hebrew “from the mouth of shame”)
2 Samuel
relates the story of this grandson of King Saul. His grandfather and father
(Johnathan) had both died sometime before Mephibosheth turned five years old. David
is the new king. There are many ugly rumors circulating about David.
Mephibosheth’s caretakers also fear the new king will exact revenge, because
Saul had hunted and tried to kill David.
When
Mephibosheth’s nurse hears David is approaching, she grabs the boy in order to
rush him to safety. In the process, she drops him. He becomes permanently crippled in his legs.
The young
man of royal blood is taken to what is essentially considered a ghetto in
biblical times: Lo-Debar. This means “no pasture” in Hebrew. What’s
the significance of not having fertile land? Nothing could grow. There would be no food for any man or animal.
We’re
talking about rural Old Testament times. There would be no fast-food
restaurants or supermarkets. Absolutely
no food is available locally. That’s a big problem.
One can
assume the young man is sloppy in his appearance, since he lives in a wasteland.
His clothes may be old and tattered. He probably doesn’t focus on hygiene,
either. He may not even have enough water to keep himself clean.
Promoted From the Pit to the Palace
After some
years, David discovers Mephibosheth’s existence. He asks the people at his
court if there are any relatives of Johnathan to whom he could show kindness—for
his friend’s sake. (David and Johnathan had remained best friends despite the
trauma with Johnathan’s father.)
When David
learns his late buddy has a son, he immediately sends for him. The young man
and his people panic. They are convinced David wants to harm Johnathan’s son.
Mephibosheth still has no choice but to follow the king’s men back to David’s
glorious dwelling place.
Much to his
surprise, Mephibosheth is greeted with open arms. King David supplies him with
these:
- Servants
- Riches
- All of his grandfather’s lands
- A nightly feast at the king’s own table
Royalty on the Inside
On the
contrary, these pearls are inside. They haven’t been appraised. They’re a
family heirloom. If they’re cultured pearls, they could be worth about $400. If
the pearls are real, they could possibly be worth 10 times that much. Either
way, the necklace isn’t garbage, even if the container is.
My Conclusion
You cannot be judged by appearances. Present
circumstances don’t tell your whole story. You may be battered and bruised. You
might feel worthless because of years of lack and limitations. Your future is
still ahead. It is not tied to your past. The royalty within you will eventually
shine.
Related Posts
What gems are hidden within you?
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