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16:10 MSG
Parallel Verses
  • The Message - But the king said, “Why are you sons of Zeruiah always interfering and getting in the way? If he’s cursing, it’s because God told him, ‘Curse David.’ So who dares raise questions?”
  • 新标点和合本 - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何关涉呢？他咒骂是因耶和华吩咐他说：‘你要咒骂大卫。’如此，谁敢说你为什么这样行呢？”
  • 和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何相干呢？他这样咒骂是因耶和华吩咐他：‘你要咒骂大卫。’如此，谁敢说：‘你为什么这样做呢？’”
  • 和合本2010（神版-简体） - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何相干呢？他这样咒骂是因耶和华吩咐他：‘你要咒骂大卫。’如此，谁敢说：‘你为什么这样做呢？’”
  • 当代译本 - 王却说：“洗鲁雅的儿子啊，不要管我的事。如果是耶和华叫他来咒骂我，谁能干涉他呢？”
  • 圣经新译本 - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子啊，我与你们有什么关系呢？如果他咒骂是因为耶和华对他说：‘你要咒骂大卫！’那么谁敢说：‘你为什么这样作呢？’”
  • 中文标准译本 - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子们，我与你们有什么相干呢？如果他这样咒骂是因为耶和华吩咐他‘你要诅咒大卫’，那么谁能说‘你为什么这样做呢？’”
  • 现代标点和合本 - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何关涉呢？他咒骂是因耶和华吩咐他说：‘你要咒骂大卫。’如此，谁敢说你为什么这样行呢？”
  • 和合本（拼音版） - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何关涉呢？他咒骂，是因耶和华吩咐他说，你要咒骂大卫。如此，谁敢说你为什么这样行呢？”
  • New International Version - But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ ”
  • New International Reader's Version - But the king said, “You and Joab are sons of Zeruiah. What does this have to do with you? Maybe the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David.’ If he did, who can ask him, ‘Why are you doing this?’ ”
  • English Standard Version - But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”
  • New Living Translation - “No!” the king said. “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?”
  • Christian Standard Bible - The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David! ’ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that? ’”
  • New American Standard Bible - But the king said, “ What business of mine is yours, you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
  • New King James Version - But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
  • Amplified Bible - But the king said, “ What business is this of yours, O sons of Zeruiah? If Shimei is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
  • American Standard Version - And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because Jehovah hath said unto him, Curse David; who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
  • King James Version - And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
  • New English Translation - But the king said, “What do we have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David!’, who can say to him, ‘Why have you done this?’”
  • World English Bible - The king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because Yahweh has said to him, ‘Curse David;’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”
  • 新標點和合本 - 王說：「洗魯雅的兒子，我與你們有何關涉呢？他咒罵是因耶和華吩咐他說：『你要咒罵大衛。』如此，誰敢說你為甚麼這樣行呢？」
  • 和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 王說：「洗魯雅的兒子，我與你們有何相干呢？他這樣咒罵是因耶和華吩咐他：『你要咒罵大衛。』如此，誰敢說：『你為甚麼這樣做呢？』」
  • 和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 王說：「洗魯雅的兒子，我與你們有何相干呢？他這樣咒罵是因耶和華吩咐他：『你要咒罵大衛。』如此，誰敢說：『你為甚麼這樣做呢？』」
  • 當代譯本 - 王卻說：「洗魯雅的兒子啊，不要管我的事。如果是耶和華叫他來咒罵我，誰能干涉他呢？」
  • 聖經新譯本 - 王說：“洗魯雅的兒子啊，我與你們有甚麼關係呢？如果他咒罵是因為耶和華對他說：‘你要咒罵大衛！’那麼誰敢說：‘你為甚麼這樣作呢？’”
  • 呂振中譯本 - 王說：『 洗魯雅 的兒子啊，你們與我就不同意了。他咒罵，若是因為永恆主吩咐他「要咒罵 大衛 」那麼誰敢說：「你為甚麼這樣行呢？」』
  • 中文標準譯本 - 王說：「洗魯雅的兒子們，我與你們有什麼相干呢？如果他這樣咒罵是因為耶和華吩咐他『你要詛咒大衛』，那麼誰能說『你為什麼這樣做呢？』」
  • 現代標點和合本 - 王說：「洗魯雅的兒子，我與你們有何關涉呢？他咒罵是因耶和華吩咐他說：『你要咒罵大衛。』如此，誰敢說你為什麼這樣行呢？」
  • 文理和合譯本 - 王曰、洗魯雅子、我與爾何與、彼詛大衛、因耶和華命其詛之、孰敢言胡為行此乎、
  • 文理委辦譯本 - 王曰、西魯雅之子我與爾何與、耶和華使之詛大闢、誰能禦之、聽其咒詛可也。
  • 施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 王曰、爾 西魯雅 子乎、我與爾曹何與、聽其咒詛、蓋主命之曰、爾可詛 大衛 也、誰可問主曰、爾何為行此、
  • Nueva Versión Internacional - Pero el rey respondió: —Esto no es asunto mío ni de ustedes, hijos de Sarvia. A lo mejor el Señor le ha ordenado que me maldiga. Y, si es así, ¿quién se lo puede reclamar?
  • 현대인의 성경 - 그러나 왕은 그에게 이렇게 대답하였다. “이건 네가 상관할 일이 아니다. 여호와께서 나를 저주하라고 말씀하셨기 때문에 그가 나를 저주하고 있다면 누가 그에게 ‘네가 어째서 이렇게 하느냐?’ 고 말할 수 있겠느냐?
  • Новый Русский Перевод - Но царь сказал: – Что у вас со мной общего, сыновья Саруи? Если он проклинает, потому что Господь сказал ему: «Прокляни Давида», то кто может сказать: «Зачем ты это делаешь?»
  • Восточный перевод - Но царь сказал: – Какое ваше дело, сыновья Церуи? Если он проклинает, потому что Вечный сказал ему: «Прокляни Давуда», то кто может сказать: «Зачем ты это делаешь?»
  • Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Но царь сказал: – Какое ваше дело, сыновья Церуи? Если он проклинает, потому что Вечный сказал ему: «Прокляни Давуда», то кто может сказать: «Зачем ты это делаешь?»
  • Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Но царь сказал: – Какое ваше дело, сыновья Церуи? Если он проклинает, потому что Вечный сказал ему: «Прокляни Довуда», то кто может сказать: «Зачем ты это делаешь?»
  • La Bible du Semeur 2015 - – Cela vous regarde-t-il, fils de Tserouya ? lui répondit le roi. Qu’il prononce ses malédictions, car si l’Eternel lui a dit de me maudire, qui peut le lui reprocher ?
  • リビングバイブル - 「ならぬ！　主が彼にのろわせておられるのだ。どうして止められるだろう。
  • Nova Versão Internacional - Mas o rei disse: “Que é que vocês têm com isso, filhos de Zeruia? Ele me amaldiçoa porque o Senhor lhe disse que amaldiçoasse Davi. Portanto, quem poderá questioná-lo?”
  • Hoffnung für alle - Doch David bremste ihn: »Wie oft muss ich es dir und deinem Bruder Joab noch sagen: Ich halte nichts von euren Racheakten! Soll dieser Schimi mich doch beschimpfen! Wenn der Herr es ihm befohlen hat – können wir es ihm dann verbieten?«
  • Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Vua nói: “Hỡi các con của Xê-ru-gia, không việc gì đến ông. Nếu Chúa phán người này nguyền rủa, ta là ai mà dám phản đối?
  • พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - กษัตริย์ตรัสห้ามว่า “บุตรนางเศรุยาห์เอ๋ย เจ้าเกี่ยวข้องอะไรกับเรื่องนี้ ถ้าองค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าตรัสกับเขาว่า ‘จงแช่งด่าดาวิด’ ใครเล่าจะไปถามว่า ‘ทำไมเจ้าจึงทำอย่างนี้?’ ”
  • พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - แต่​กษัตริย์​กล่าว​ว่า “บุตร​ของ​เศรุยาห์​เอ๋ย มัน​เกี่ยว​อะไร​กับ​พวก​เจ้า​ด้วย ถ้า​หากว่า​เขา​สาปแช่ง​เพราะ​ว่า​พระ​ผู้​เป็น​เจ้า​ได้​บอก​เขา​ว่า ‘จง​สาปแช่ง​ดาวิด​เสีย’ แล้ว​ใคร​จะ​พูด​ได้​ว่า ‘ทำไม​เจ้า​จึง​กระทำ​เช่น​นั้น’”
Cross Reference
  • 2 Kings 18:25 - “Do you think I’ve come up here to destroy this country without the express approval of God? The fact is that God expressly ordered me, ‘Attack and destroy this country!’”
  • Luke 9:55 - Jesus turned on them: “Of course not!” And they traveled on to another village.
  • 1 Kings 2:5 - “And don’t forget what Joab son of Zeruiah did to the two commanders of Israel’s army, to Abner son of Ner and to Amasa son of Jether. He murdered them in cold blood, acting in peacetime as if he were at war, and has been stained with that blood ever since. Do what you think best with him, but by no means let him get off scot-free—make him pay.
  • Matthew 16:23 - But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”
  • John 18:11 - Jesus ordered Peter, “Put back your sword. Do you think for a minute I’m not going to drink this cup the Father gave me?”
  • Romans 9:20 - Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, “Why did you shape me like this?” Isn’t it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans? If God needs one style of pottery especially designed to show his angry displeasure and another style carefully crafted to show his glorious goodness, isn’t that all right? Either or both happens to Jews, but it also happens to the other people. Hosea put it well: I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved. In the place where they yelled out, “You’re nobody!” they’re calling you “God’s living children.” Isaiah maintained this same emphasis: If each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered and the sum labeled “chosen of God,” They’d be numbers still, not names; salvation comes by personal selection. God doesn’t count us; he calls us by name. Arithmetic is not his focus. Isaiah had looked ahead and spoken the truth: If our powerful God had not provided us a legacy of living children, We would have ended up like ghost towns, like Sodom and Gomorrah. How can we sum this up? All those people who didn’t seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their “God projects” that they didn’t notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together: Careful! I’ve put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can’t get around. But the stone is me! If you’re looking for me, you’ll find me on the way, not in the way.
  • 2 Samuel 19:22 - But David said, “What is it with you sons of Zeruiah? Why do you insist on being so contentious? Nobody is going to be killed today. I am again king over Israel!”
Parallel VersesCross Reference
  • The Message - But the king said, “Why are you sons of Zeruiah always interfering and getting in the way? If he’s cursing, it’s because God told him, ‘Curse David.’ So who dares raise questions?”
  • 新标点和合本 - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何关涉呢？他咒骂是因耶和华吩咐他说：‘你要咒骂大卫。’如此，谁敢说你为什么这样行呢？”
  • 和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何相干呢？他这样咒骂是因耶和华吩咐他：‘你要咒骂大卫。’如此，谁敢说：‘你为什么这样做呢？’”
  • 和合本2010（神版-简体） - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何相干呢？他这样咒骂是因耶和华吩咐他：‘你要咒骂大卫。’如此，谁敢说：‘你为什么这样做呢？’”
  • 当代译本 - 王却说：“洗鲁雅的儿子啊，不要管我的事。如果是耶和华叫他来咒骂我，谁能干涉他呢？”
  • 圣经新译本 - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子啊，我与你们有什么关系呢？如果他咒骂是因为耶和华对他说：‘你要咒骂大卫！’那么谁敢说：‘你为什么这样作呢？’”
  • 中文标准译本 - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子们，我与你们有什么相干呢？如果他这样咒骂是因为耶和华吩咐他‘你要诅咒大卫’，那么谁能说‘你为什么这样做呢？’”
  • 现代标点和合本 - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何关涉呢？他咒骂是因耶和华吩咐他说：‘你要咒骂大卫。’如此，谁敢说你为什么这样行呢？”
  • 和合本（拼音版） - 王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何关涉呢？他咒骂，是因耶和华吩咐他说，你要咒骂大卫。如此，谁敢说你为什么这样行呢？”
  • New International Version - But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ ”
  • New International Reader's Version - But the king said, “You and Joab are sons of Zeruiah. What does this have to do with you? Maybe the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David.’ If he did, who can ask him, ‘Why are you doing this?’ ”
  • English Standard Version - But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”
  • New Living Translation - “No!” the king said. “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?”
  • Christian Standard Bible - The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David! ’ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that? ’”
  • New American Standard Bible - But the king said, “ What business of mine is yours, you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
  • New King James Version - But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
  • Amplified Bible - But the king said, “ What business is this of yours, O sons of Zeruiah? If Shimei is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
  • American Standard Version - And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because Jehovah hath said unto him, Curse David; who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
  • King James Version - And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
  • New English Translation - But the king said, “What do we have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David!’, who can say to him, ‘Why have you done this?’”
  • World English Bible - The king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because Yahweh has said to him, ‘Curse David;’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”
  • 新標點和合本 - 王說：「洗魯雅的兒子，我與你們有何關涉呢？他咒罵是因耶和華吩咐他說：『你要咒罵大衛。』如此，誰敢說你為甚麼這樣行呢？」
  • 和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 王說：「洗魯雅的兒子，我與你們有何相干呢？他這樣咒罵是因耶和華吩咐他：『你要咒罵大衛。』如此，誰敢說：『你為甚麼這樣做呢？』」
  • 和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 王說：「洗魯雅的兒子，我與你們有何相干呢？他這樣咒罵是因耶和華吩咐他：『你要咒罵大衛。』如此，誰敢說：『你為甚麼這樣做呢？』」
  • 當代譯本 - 王卻說：「洗魯雅的兒子啊，不要管我的事。如果是耶和華叫他來咒罵我，誰能干涉他呢？」
  • 聖經新譯本 - 王說：“洗魯雅的兒子啊，我與你們有甚麼關係呢？如果他咒罵是因為耶和華對他說：‘你要咒罵大衛！’那麼誰敢說：‘你為甚麼這樣作呢？’”
  • 呂振中譯本 - 王說：『 洗魯雅 的兒子啊，你們與我就不同意了。他咒罵，若是因為永恆主吩咐他「要咒罵 大衛 」那麼誰敢說：「你為甚麼這樣行呢？」』
  • 中文標準譯本 - 王說：「洗魯雅的兒子們，我與你們有什麼相干呢？如果他這樣咒罵是因為耶和華吩咐他『你要詛咒大衛』，那麼誰能說『你為什麼這樣做呢？』」
  • 現代標點和合本 - 王說：「洗魯雅的兒子，我與你們有何關涉呢？他咒罵是因耶和華吩咐他說：『你要咒罵大衛。』如此，誰敢說你為什麼這樣行呢？」
  • 文理和合譯本 - 王曰、洗魯雅子、我與爾何與、彼詛大衛、因耶和華命其詛之、孰敢言胡為行此乎、
  • 文理委辦譯本 - 王曰、西魯雅之子我與爾何與、耶和華使之詛大闢、誰能禦之、聽其咒詛可也。
  • 施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 王曰、爾 西魯雅 子乎、我與爾曹何與、聽其咒詛、蓋主命之曰、爾可詛 大衛 也、誰可問主曰、爾何為行此、
  • Nueva Versión Internacional - Pero el rey respondió: —Esto no es asunto mío ni de ustedes, hijos de Sarvia. A lo mejor el Señor le ha ordenado que me maldiga. Y, si es así, ¿quién se lo puede reclamar?
  • 현대인의 성경 - 그러나 왕은 그에게 이렇게 대답하였다. “이건 네가 상관할 일이 아니다. 여호와께서 나를 저주하라고 말씀하셨기 때문에 그가 나를 저주하고 있다면 누가 그에게 ‘네가 어째서 이렇게 하느냐?’ 고 말할 수 있겠느냐?
  • Новый Русский Перевод - Но царь сказал: – Что у вас со мной общего, сыновья Саруи? Если он проклинает, потому что Господь сказал ему: «Прокляни Давида», то кто может сказать: «Зачем ты это делаешь?»
  • Восточный перевод - Но царь сказал: – Какое ваше дело, сыновья Церуи? Если он проклинает, потому что Вечный сказал ему: «Прокляни Давуда», то кто может сказать: «Зачем ты это делаешь?»
  • Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Но царь сказал: – Какое ваше дело, сыновья Церуи? Если он проклинает, потому что Вечный сказал ему: «Прокляни Давуда», то кто может сказать: «Зачем ты это делаешь?»
  • Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Но царь сказал: – Какое ваше дело, сыновья Церуи? Если он проклинает, потому что Вечный сказал ему: «Прокляни Довуда», то кто может сказать: «Зачем ты это делаешь?»
  • La Bible du Semeur 2015 - – Cela vous regarde-t-il, fils de Tserouya ? lui répondit le roi. Qu’il prononce ses malédictions, car si l’Eternel lui a dit de me maudire, qui peut le lui reprocher ?
  • リビングバイブル - 「ならぬ！　主が彼にのろわせておられるのだ。どうして止められるだろう。
  • Nova Versão Internacional - Mas o rei disse: “Que é que vocês têm com isso, filhos de Zeruia? Ele me amaldiçoa porque o Senhor lhe disse que amaldiçoasse Davi. Portanto, quem poderá questioná-lo?”
  • Hoffnung für alle - Doch David bremste ihn: »Wie oft muss ich es dir und deinem Bruder Joab noch sagen: Ich halte nichts von euren Racheakten! Soll dieser Schimi mich doch beschimpfen! Wenn der Herr es ihm befohlen hat – können wir es ihm dann verbieten?«
  • Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Vua nói: “Hỡi các con của Xê-ru-gia, không việc gì đến ông. Nếu Chúa phán người này nguyền rủa, ta là ai mà dám phản đối?
  • พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - กษัตริย์ตรัสห้ามว่า “บุตรนางเศรุยาห์เอ๋ย เจ้าเกี่ยวข้องอะไรกับเรื่องนี้ ถ้าองค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าตรัสกับเขาว่า ‘จงแช่งด่าดาวิด’ ใครเล่าจะไปถามว่า ‘ทำไมเจ้าจึงทำอย่างนี้?’ ”
  • พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - แต่​กษัตริย์​กล่าว​ว่า “บุตร​ของ​เศรุยาห์​เอ๋ย มัน​เกี่ยว​อะไร​กับ​พวก​เจ้า​ด้วย ถ้า​หากว่า​เขา​สาปแช่ง​เพราะ​ว่า​พระ​ผู้​เป็น​เจ้า​ได้​บอก​เขา​ว่า ‘จง​สาปแช่ง​ดาวิด​เสีย’ แล้ว​ใคร​จะ​พูด​ได้​ว่า ‘ทำไม​เจ้า​จึง​กระทำ​เช่น​นั้น’”
  • 2 Kings 18:25 - “Do you think I’ve come up here to destroy this country without the express approval of God? The fact is that God expressly ordered me, ‘Attack and destroy this country!’”
  • Luke 9:55 - Jesus turned on them: “Of course not!” And they traveled on to another village.
  • 1 Kings 2:5 - “And don’t forget what Joab son of Zeruiah did to the two commanders of Israel’s army, to Abner son of Ner and to Amasa son of Jether. He murdered them in cold blood, acting in peacetime as if he were at war, and has been stained with that blood ever since. Do what you think best with him, but by no means let him get off scot-free—make him pay.
  • Matthew 16:23 - But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”
  • John 18:11 - Jesus ordered Peter, “Put back your sword. Do you think for a minute I’m not going to drink this cup the Father gave me?”
  • Romans 9:20 - Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, “Why did you shape me like this?” Isn’t it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans? If God needs one style of pottery especially designed to show his angry displeasure and another style carefully crafted to show his glorious goodness, isn’t that all right? Either or both happens to Jews, but it also happens to the other people. Hosea put it well: I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved. In the place where they yelled out, “You’re nobody!” they’re calling you “God’s living children.” Isaiah maintained this same emphasis: If each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered and the sum labeled “chosen of God,” They’d be numbers still, not names; salvation comes by personal selection. God doesn’t count us; he calls us by name. Arithmetic is not his focus. Isaiah had looked ahead and spoken the truth: If our powerful God had not provided us a legacy of living children, We would have ended up like ghost towns, like Sodom and Gomorrah. How can we sum this up? All those people who didn’t seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their “God projects” that they didn’t notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together: Careful! I’ve put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can’t get around. But the stone is me! If you’re looking for me, you’ll find me on the way, not in the way.
  • 2 Samuel 19:22 - But David said, “What is it with you sons of Zeruiah? Why do you insist on being so contentious? Nobody is going to be killed today. I am again king over Israel!”
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