Whether covenant with the throne of iniquity ? (1 Samuel 11:1)

Glory be to God!!

Whether covenant with the throne of iniquity?

"Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee." 1 Samuel 11:1

The inhabitants of Jabesh at Gilead they are included among the children of Israel, they are the shadow of a group of the believers who are included in the group of the children of God. When we consider Gilead it is included in the land which the people of Israel conquered before the shore of the river Jordan when they came to inherit the land of Canaan . Since the Reubenites, Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh found that this place is good for the cattle therefore they asked that land for their possession. Bring us not over Jordan they said (Numbers 32:1-5, 28-33, 40). According to their request Moses gave that land unto them. When we consider this thing spiritually, in the middle of the journey towards heavenly Canaan they saw the land Gilead which is the world good not for them, but for their possession (cattle) therefore not wanting to leave this world to go beyond Jordan the canaan that is heaven it is the shadow for those who think so.

When we understand about Jordan, the specification about it is, it overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest (Joshua 3:15). We could see when the Israelites were crossing Jordan it flowed over all his banks (Joshua 4:18). Therefore the people of Israel entered Canaan during the time of harvest. Harvest is said as the end of the world, during the time of harvest gather all the tares out of His kingdom all things that offend and them which do iniquity shall be cast into the hell but it is said that the righteous shine forth as the sun (Matthew 13:39-43). The glory of God in their transfigured body make them to shine forth (Matthew 17:2). Therefore at the end of the world which is the harvest passing Jordan the death thereby it will happen to enter into the land of Canaan which is the kingdom of God. Fruit is brought forth shows harvest is come (Mark 4:29). When our life become as the valuable fruit (James 5:7). We will have at the Lord's appearance by our Lord the husbandman we are gathered in the eternity which is the experience of gathering in the barns (Matthew 3:12).

Therefore when we think about the inhabitants of Gilead looking at the prosperity of this world desiring to live in this world itself. The worldy ones are the tares of the kingdom of God cheering themselves to live eternally in this earth not being sober that by death they have to depart this world. The inhabitants of Gilead the Reubenites (Genesis 29:32) the Gadites (Genesis 30:10-11) and the Manasseh (Genesis 41:51) are the generations born as the firstborn in the children of Israel. They are the shadow to the church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven (Hebrews 12:23). They are those who are called by God to receive the inheritance of the heavenly Canaan. Or they those who called by God, justified and led to glorification (Romans 8:30) to receive the inheritance in the holy city that is New Jerusalem. However, desiring for the permanent dwelling in this world, the Gilead and says not to take them to the heavenly Canaan they live to be known as Gileadites or worldly ones.They desire not to be called as people of God or Israelites (Isaiah 44:5).

Nahash the Ammonite encamped to fight against the inhabitants of Gilead. When we learn about Ammonites and Moabites they are born to the two daughters of Lot (Genesis 19:36-38). Until the end of the wilderness journey of the Israelites they were the people who had God's compassion and care. For a period of time chidren of Israel jaunt in their journey and marching towards Canaan when the children of Israel pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab since God gave that land unto the children of Lot for a possession therefore it is said distress them not, nor meddle with them. Even the land of  the Ammonites shall not be given as the inheritance to the children of Israel says God (Deuteronomy 2:16-19). But later when they work against children of Israel God detest them. Since they didn't receive Israelites with bread and water when they came out of Egypt and in order to curse them they called Balaam for reward therefore God worked against them (Deuteronomy 23:3-6). Not only that during the time of the failure of Israelites thou hast clapped thine hands and danced and rejoiced and said it is good therefore God said i will destroy them (Ezekiel 25:1-7). In fact it shows satan and his angels. The meaning for the word Nahash is serpent. The old serpent which is satan who rejoiced in Adam's fall in the garden of Eden after they were thrust (Revelation 12:9). When we learn about the rejected angels who were with him it is written as they which kept not their first estate, who left their own habitation which God gave them (Jude 1:6). Even today few individuals rejecting their eternal dwelling in the eternity and living with satan and his angels. Like the devil they keep accusing the people of God by finding fault and rejoicing in their failure (Revelation 12:10). When satan is cast down to hell, to the sides of the pit (Isaiah 14:15) God will cast them too into everlasting fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). But they which are accused by them will be at rest lying in glory in their own houses whereas they are cast away (Isaiah 14:18-19).

We have to put on the whole armour of God and wrestle against devil and the spiritual wickedness (Ephesians 6:11-12). But the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead desired to make covenant with Nahash and to serve him instead to fight with them who encamped against them (1 Samuel 11:1). It is not their problem the land Gilead where they are is the land of covenant. It is the place where Jacob the God-fearing made covenant with Laban (Genesis 31:44-47). They pitched their tent in the mount of Gilead to make covenant (Genesis 31:25). By living in this world it is the experience of having fellowship with the throne of iniquity and with the captain of this world the devil (Psalm 94:20). They that are not of this world only can resist against the world. They are those who are hated by the world (John 15:19). But they that desire to be the friend of this world become enemy to God without knowing they make covenant with the captain of this world (James 4:4). They are cheerful to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2). In this situation we the children of God have to remember one thing which the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead have forgotten. Before Laban made covenant with Jacob he says one thing.The matter which God commanded to Laban though Laban have power to hurt Jacob, take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad (Genesis 31:29). When satan was suffering Job with afflictions God says to satan but save his life (Job 2:6). Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul (Matthew 10:28). Therefore they need not fear Nahash or the devil. Since they have friendship with the world they make covenant with the prince of the world and desire to serve satan which is the old serpent.

But Nahash (devil) wanted them to thrust out their right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel, he says upon this condition will he make covenant (1 Samuel 11:2). He required this to the elders of Jabesh (1 Samuel 11:3). They are the idol shepherd who leaveth the flock they lead the people to wickedness God says unto them their right eye shall be dried up and their right eye shall be utterly darkened (Zechariah 11:17). Samson was captured by his enemies and they put out his eyes and bound him and he did grind in the prison house (Judges 16:21). Devil will make us to lose our heavenly vision and make us worldly ones to live only for the earthly goodness. It is the deception of the satan by making us to labour hard for daily living and for the worldly goodness and for riches by putting us in the prison by making us to live as devil's slave (Psalm 127:2). Not only that, their eyes will be put out such thought did always dominate in the hearts of some others (Numbers 16:14). It is the experience of living with fear whether their spiritual vision is lost. In their life there will be always a spiritual dryness. The word Jabesh means dryness. Though the elders of Jabesh cheered as such whereas Nahash wanted to lay this reproach upon all Israel (1 Samuel 11:3). God never allow it since Israelites belong to the Lord (Isaiah 44:5). When king Saul heard about these tidings the Spirit of God came upon him and his anger was kindled greatly (1 Samuel 11:6). They that came behind him and those came along with him together fought with the Ammonites and destroyed them (1 Samuel 11:11). Our King Lord Jesus hath nothing with the prince of the world neither accept any covenant with him (John 14:30). He overcame the world therefore though we have tribulations and strivings He encourage us and give us victory by fighting all our battles (John 16:33). Certainly through our Lord Jesus Christ our God give us victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).

When saul says whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and Samuel their oxen shall be destroyed, let us not be like the Gileadites for they saw the land of Gilead is good for their cattle and said they don't want the land of Canaan but let us go behind king Saul and Samuel the servant of God otherwise we have to understand that the cattle or the earthly riches will be destroyed (1 Samuel 11:6).Our God destroys earthly goodness thereby lending money and become debtors or the cursed ones because they live without obeying to the commandment of God (Deuteronomy 28:44-45). Therefore let us not go behind the idol shepherd, the worldly ones who love this world as well desire to serve devil and the world. Let us cheer ourselves to go behind our King Jesus and the faithful servants of God who are led being God with them by giving God's words (1 Samuel 3:19-20, 11:7). Then we will not be a reproach in this world and become overcomers with Jesus who overcame the world. Let our Lord God help us and bless us and glorify His name.