The account of Mephibosheth gives a helpful, encouraging example of how God prepares a broken vessel for blessing. We, for whom these things are recorded (Rom. 15:44For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)), can exult in our God, whose ways of perfection account for every circumstance in our lives.
We are introduced to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 4 where the end of the house of Saul is recorded. In Saul we have a type of attractive flesh, which is rejected by God and judged. Mephibosheth represents the election of grace, who, though possessing nothing deserving of the kindness of God, is brought into the presence—made fit to be in the company of the glorious king.
“And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet.” What was lovely in Jonathan was his attachment to and companionship with David. We may fail, as did Jonathan, but the purpose of God in “bringing many sons unto glory” can never be thwarted, even as the bringing of Mephibosheth into David’s presence beautifully attests.
The Effects of Following Wrong Causes
Jonathan also reminds us that, despite affection and loyalty to Christ, we may be followers of the wrong leaders, enlisted in the wrong causes, and engaged in the wrong conflicts. Sadly, many are fighting, in the flesh, what they think are the battles of the Lord, while their children suffer the lack of fatherly, shepherding care. Sadder is that we may spend our whole lives in wrong causes, and our children suffer, as a result, lifelong disabilities.
Being “lame of his feet” is the most remarked feature of Mephibosheth. From this we learn the inability of the flesh to walk for God’s glory, even though possessing, as Mephibosheth, a birthright of royalty. “Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” God may have to allow painful disabilities as reminders that we must “walk in the Spirit” in order not to “fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
The Effects of a Root of Bitterness
Mephibosheth was 5 years old when the news came of the death of Saul and Jonathan. His nurse took him up and fled. What a history of sorrow began for the young boy, who was thus crippled for life! How easy to have grown up angry and bitter! What had he done to deserve such things?
There are many of us whose root problem is anger and bitterness, who have never allowed God the right to break the vessel He is fashioning. Often the root of bitterness is buried in the soil of a controlling, legal spirit, which pretends to do God’s service by focusing on the faults of others. Such bitterness may be covered over for a time, but it will indeed “spring up” and do its awful work among God’s people and “thereby many be defiled.”
“All Things Work Together for Good”
But oh! the solace that comes from meditating on the precious thoughts of God toward us!
His every act pure blessing is;
His path unsullied light.
Concerning the suffering of evil in this life, it has been observed, “God doesn’t cause evil to happen, but He is the only One great and good enough to bring blessing out of the evil.” Enjoying this by faith, we escape the snare of bitterness resulting from seemingly difficult and painful circumstances in life.
The Effects of Ignorance
“And it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.” His disability came through the innocent but negligent care of one who genuinely cared for him. Today, believers may have spiritual handicaps or disabilities through the negligent care of those entrusted with their young lives. As parents, we may be guilty of this not intentionally through lack of love, but culpably through lack of diligence. Jonathan certainly didn’t intend to leave his young son fatherless, nor did his nurse intend to disable him by her actions. Nevertheless, these things happened through a lack of discernment of the awful consequences of living “in the flesh.”
The Effects of Sloppy Shepherding
Elders who have the oversight of God’s flock bear responsibility for their ways and attitudes which can “disable” young believers. How often failure to manifest godly care and wisdom in seeking to help the sheep of Christ has resulted in wounded sheep.
Some years ago, I was trying to be helpful in herding sheep from one pasture to a better pasture. All the flock save one prodigal were safely through the opened gate when the wanderer bolted away along the wrong side of the fence. My zeal and energy in running after the errant sheep to bring it back only served to drive the terrified animal further away. How many of the precious sheep of Christ have been driven away by unwise displays of zeal and energy. How important loving patience is when seeking to coax a wandering sheep back.
Broken Vessels “Vessels of Mercy”
Our blessed God desires us to see that those disabilities He has allowed in our lives received through hardness and affliction are preparing us as broken vessels in which God displays His kindness.
Mephibosheth did not miss out on the heritage of being the king’s son, for he was set at the king’s table “as one of the king’s sons.” The transformation from brokenness and apparent loss to the privileged place of glory and nearness to the king began in the heart of David. How this reminds us of our Lord Jesus Christ, who brings the kindness of God our Saviour to us and who alone can remove the sting and pain of affliction from our hearts.
B. Jones (adapted)