The two lions of Moab

Tuesday 3 August 2021

The two lions of Moab

Benaja, son of Jehojada, son of a man from Kabtseel, filled with valor and famous for his exploits. He smote the two lions of Moab. 1 Chronicles 11:22

At the end of his life, David recalls the dedication of his loyal soldiers and servants who followed and served him when he was hunted down by King Saul. Benaja is one of those faithful men. The Bible mentions three exploits of Benaja : the two lions of Moab he kills ; the lion in a pit which he also kills ; the 2.5m Egyptian giant whom he slashes with his own spear (1 Chronicles 11:22,23). David does not forget any of these acts of bravery. He honors Benaja by giving him a place in his private audiences (v. 25). It is an encouragement for us to know that the Lord Jesus, the true David, will never forget what we did out of love for him. Benaja destroyed the two lions of Moab who represent powers capable of harming David, his king, and all his people.

The characters of these two representatives of Moab are pride and laziness as Jeremiah specifies : We have heard the pride of Moab, the very haughty, his arrogance, and his pride, and his pride, and his haughty heart !... Moab was at ease from his youth, and quiet on his dregs (Jeremiah 48:29,11).

Pride, the sin of the devil, finds in each of us a choice ally that the Bible calls the flesh. Benaja was victorious ; we can also be so by resisting any manifestation of pride, by learning from the Lord, the humble man of heart (Matthew 11:29).

Laziness, carelessness, is a sin that also threatens us. The danger is insidious : A little sleep, a little drowsiness, a little crossing your hands to sleep !... (Proverbs 24:33). The remedy : a discipline of life, daily, voluntary, from our youth : Consider the way by which you pass, and that all your ways are well regulated ; bow neither to the right nor to the left, and turn away your foot from evil (Proverbs 4:26,27).

These two lions of Moab - pride and laziness - can appear at any time in our path. Destroy them, they undermine the honor of Christ.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)