Mephibosheth
04/10/2015
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In 2 Samuel Chapter 9 we find the story of Mephibosheth, a descendant of Saul and son of Jonathan. David said in verse 1, “Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” It was Mephibosheth who would obtain that kindness. And that kindness was the effect of a covenant that David had made with Jonathan in 1Samuel 20:14-17.
Now Mephibosheth lived in the land of Lodebar (which means “a place of no pasture”) and was lame on both his feet from a fall at an early age. Nevertheless, David sent and fetched him out from Lodebar and had his servants bring Mephibosheth to him. No doubt Mephibosheth greatly feared the thought of being brought before King David. I am sure that he felt that David had it in his mind to slay him, being the last of the house of Saul.
When Mephibosheth was before David he fell on his face and did reverence. But David said, “fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathon thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually”. And what was Mephibosheth’s response towards David’s great mercy? He bowed his head and said, “What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” Not only was David going to spare his life but he was going to treat him as one of the King’s sons. He would not even have to work for his food; David had at least 35 people to see to all his needs. The last verse in Chapter 9 states, “So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the King’s table; and was lame on both his feet.”
How lovely is this type that God gives us in the story of Mephibosheth, for we are that Mephibosheth that is lame on both his feet! It was at an early age that we became lame, through the fall in Adam (Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”). That sin brought about a crippling affect; death, upon all of Adams family. Not only was that death corporeal, but it was a separation from the blessings and presence of God as well. It put us in the land of “Lodebar”, a place of no pasture. We were “like sheep” gone astray, and have turned everyone to his own way. We strayed from God’s pasture in the fall of Adam and our lot was to ever be separated from the presence of Almighty God.
But aren’t you glad the story doesn’t end there? Just like David and Jonathan, there was a covenant that was made before the foundation of the world between God the Father and God the Son (Ephesians 1:4, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…”). Yes, God the Father showed kindness to us for Christ’s sake! It was His blood that was shed on Calvary that removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. It was a finished work and accomplished entirely the demands of that covenant. Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:14, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified”. That was ONE offering, and the results are perfection, and it is applied to them that are sanctified. What a blessed truth to know that Christ’s work on Calvary was completed!
It was Christ that “fetched” us to him. We, like Mephibosheth, could not come to him nor would we (John 6:44 –“No man can come unto me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day”). We were unable to come to him because of the fall neither would we have come to him, because natural, carnal man does not desire God (2Cor.2: 14 – “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned”).
It is when the Child of God is brought (drawn) to God that he is made to see his depravity. The light of Christ now shines on his dark heart and he sees who he really is, a sinner who has been at enmity with God. It is then that he feels to be no better than a “dead dog”. Paul cried out “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Do you know who the “who” is? Why is it, dear reader, that you once enjoyed the things you did, but now they convict your troubled heart? Who told your heart that it was wrong? Your flesh enjoyed it all the while, but now the joy is gone. It is Christ who has shined his light into your heart; He is the light of life! Christ is the “Who”!
Now, in His Church we can sit at the King’s table. It is here that we can feast and eat continually on the Gospel of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. It is here that we hear the story of how he “saved a wretch like me”. It is in His Church that we can go in and find pasture (John 10:9). And though our feet are lame in this life, His table hides our weaknesses and we can rejoice at His banquet.
But there is coming a day, dear friend, that those lame feet will be gone. It will be the last day, when this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. Then shall the saying be brought to pass, “Death is swallowed up in Victory”.
My friends, that is a true “rags to riches” story!