Day 24 of 90: Benaiah

Reading today I only thought about one thing, a person really, Benaiah.

The first time I did the Bible in 90 Days program, I was in a group and we watched the DVDs that come with the program. I know I've mentioned before, but they were wonderful. And you can listen to them online. Jack Modesett is the leader of these weekly lessons.
He had a section on Benaiah. It was on the week 6 lesson where this same passage is repeated in 1 Chronicles 11:22-25 almost word for word as it is in 2 Samuel 23:20-23 Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. And he killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among three mighty men. He was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard.

So, everything I am sharing comes from this lesson. I did not come up with it on my own. But it was such a moving lesson that I have not forgotten it and I heard it the first time in February this year, months ago.

Benaiah is the son of Jehoiada and he is one of David's best men. He is appointed over David's guard. Benaiah did three great deeds: he struck down two of Moab's best men; he killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day; he struck down a 7 1/2 foot tall Egyptian.
What makes this interesting?
Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
So, we know that the past is important, and we know that even if something makes little sense to us at first, if we dig, we can find it out.

Now, a little on the three deeds performed by Benaiah.
He struck down two of Moab's best men. Moab is the son of Lot, the son Lot had with one of his daughter's who came into him after they left Sodom. Moabites were cousins, always there, always at war with the Israelites. Moabites represent the flesh in the Bible. The flesh is what is always there, we can't get rid of, we are always at war with it.
He killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day. In 1 Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Satan is a roaring lion. Lions are big, strong, fast, clever, the most dangerous animal in Africa. The worst possible foe. A pit is the very last place you'd want to meet a lion. It's the worst possible place. A snowy day can make you blind, it's cold, it's slippery. It's the worst possible time. Yet Benaiah defeated the lion.
He struck down a 7 1/2 foot Egyptian. Egypt was the most powerful nation in ancient times. It represents the world.

So these are our three greatest enemies: the flesh, the world, the devil.

Benaiah brought something with him. Names mean something in the Bible. Benaiah's father is Jehoiada. That means "God Knows". Benaiah means "God Builds". Those two names together mean God knows me and He's always building in my life.

When we are in the worst possible place, at the worst possible time, facing the worst possible foe, God knows, He is with us, and He is building us up.

I have not forgotten Benaiah. I don't imagine I will. In the midst of the history of Israel, using a person who isn't famous or well-known, God shows us how much He loves us. How awesome is that!!

So, go listen to Jack Modesett give this lesson. I took really good notes, but it's not the same. You won't forget Benaiah after listening either.