I love King David, he is an amazing example of a conquer who is also in touch with his feelings. In this moment in my life I can relate a lot to him. It is almost as if David is a natural blogger. If David had WordPress he would far surpass me in his expressions of what was happening in his life. David shows raw feeling and grit as well as praise and worship in his relationship with God and it is all on display for us to see in the Psalms.
Today I am reflecting on Psalm 20, please read it. My first encounter with the words of this psalm was at New Hope Christian Fellowship hearing it in the form it was intended, a song. It was a song that when you hear it your hands go up in praise and you are caught up in how awesome God is.
Something else I have been reflecting on is this term called “Nadir.” My boss, Susan Perlman, asked me if I have heard the word before and I had not. She explained it as meaning the lowest point of the side effects of Chemotherapy. I looked it up and it applies to all situations defined as the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization. This got me thinking about another bible character like David who was a messianic figure but faced much more suffering.
In this week’s parsha Va’Yigash, which is read all over the world by my Jewish people, we are in the finally of the story of Joseph. If you don’t know the story of Joseph don’t work just watch this video or read Genesis 37, 39-45… (see you in an hour 😉 … or 60 seconds.
Joseph suffered though he did not deserve it and in the end he realizes that it was God orchestrated for the salvation of his family. I am sure if Joseph was as expressive as King David we would probably have the best songs ever written as a result of the many times of nadir that Joseph had endured.
What I like about David is he is the model of a conquering savior of Israel who fought many battles to bring Israel to the pinnacle of her entire existence. On the other hand I like Joseph because he is a model of the suffering messiah who would endure great hardship for the sake of saving his people and the world.
Now here is the kicker that my Jewish people miss even today. Y’shua (Jesus) is the suffering messiah as described by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 53. His life and actions have so many parallels to Joseph’s life that you would have to be in complete denial in order to dodge the facts. If this is news to you please check it out for yourself.
As for Jesus similarities to King David, well first off they are related and second as David was a conquer of the enemies of Israel, Jesus was a conquer of the enemies of the entire world and humanity. The day Jesus gave his life was the day sin was paid for and the day Jesus rose from the grave was the day that death was defeated. That is a task that no earthly messiah could ever conquer. It took God Himself to become our Messiah and save us from sin and death.
Let that sink in for a bit.
Today, so many of us get caught up in way of thinking that keep us from being able to grasp this amazing news. For most Jewish people they think Jesus is for the Gentiles and to believe in Jesus means I have to forfeit my Judaism. Let me ask those who have never considered Jesus this, is true Judaism that which is defined by men or that which was called out and defined by God? If one who is called out by God as part of the Jewish people follows the Jewish Messiah, who is in fact God in flesh who called us out in the first place, then would not following the Jewish Messiah be the most Jewish thing a Jewish person could ever do?
I can promise you this, if you choose today to follow Jesus, your payot won’t fall off, your yamaka won’t fly off your head, and you probably won’t have a sudden craving for bacon. Here is what will happen. Y’shua will give you a new heart full of peace. Your perspective of God will change as He will be properly placed in the center of your universe. You will receive the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) who also was with Moses and all the prophets throughout our history. You will be a part of a family of God that includes all people both Jewish and Gentile. Sin and death will be conquered in your life.
All this to say the choice is yours and has always been yours and I speak from experience that you will not regret having a personal relationship with the God of the universe.
So choose already 😉
Be Blessed
Sean Trank
P.S. What do you think about David and Joseph? Please write a response in the comments.
Sean Trank 
I love both of them. I am always grateful to read David’s store in particular to be reminded that God used a sinful and broken man in such a magnificent way — as part of Jesus’ lineage. God does not pull punches in His Word. If he can use adulterers, murderers, wrongfully accused spoiled kids and harlots, He can use every one of us!
Truly excellent post. Thanks. I admire King David as someone who knew how to admit and deal with his mistakes. I admire Joseph as someone who knew how to deal with other people’s mistakes. Two very important life skills and both seemed fueled by trust in God.
Sean, I shared at church you were dealing with cancer and chemo and asked everyone to be in prayer for you.
this is the best yet, Sean. Thank you! see you at the Worship Reunion where we’ll sing that song, I’m thinking – one of my very very favorites btw
I love both characters..but Joseph is a special favorite! What humble acceptance of whatever life (God) dealt him! No bitterness or complaining despite the many injustices. He let God shape him through it all and it took 13 years to see what it was all about!! Thank you for your thoughts!
Being Jewish is what I am. Obeying God is what I do.
As far as King David goes, I am always amazed that even though he orchestrated a murder due to coveting someone’s wife and committed adultery, he was still called a man after God’s own heart. I am equally amazed that Solomon received the gift of wisdom but ended up going after many wives, a very unwise thing to do – especially since wisdom in the Bible is not just smarts but living a godly life. I think we are all contradictions to an extent and I’m grateful to have these examples of God’s grace which often comes in sprite of our choices.
Like Ruth said, Joseph is more about other people’s choices and how God works out our lives in spite of what others might choose to harm us. Joseph is actually easier for me to wrap my head around than the contradictions that are David and Solomon! Thanks to God for his grace whether it’s over what we do to ourselves or what others do to us.