A Living Dog Is Better Than A Dead Lion Series

Introduction: Dog was one of the most an unclean and despicable creature to the Jews; but a living one is better than a lion that is dead already.

The most despicable living man’s state is preferable to that of the mot noble that has died impenitent. Thus it is better to be a live coward than a dead hero.

Aim: The aim of this lesson is to let us know that there is hope for everyone of us because “when there is life, there is hope” and a dead person, whatever important and noble he could have been cannot change anything.

Outline

1. Mephiboseth, a dead dog. II Sam. 9:8: Mephiboseth was the grandson of Saul, Saul begat Jonathan and Jonathan begat Mephiboseth. Mephiboseth was only five years of age when they heard of Saul’s and Jonathan’s death, the nurse who was taking care of him made an attempt to flee and fell and the boy became lame II Sam. 4:4. Mephiboseth has written himself off when he saw the king and bowed down and called himself “a dead dog”. Do not write yourself off.

2. Mephiboseth in Lodebar. II Sam. 9:4: The incident of becoming lame that happened to Mephiboseth took him to Lodebar.

Where was Lodebar? Lodebar was a town in the Old Testament in Gilead not far from Mahanain in Israel.

The word Lo-debar means “no pasture”, “no word”, “no communication” (in contrast to Ps. 23:2).

A royal son that was born into a royal family was taken to desert, to a place of no pasture. Ecc. 10:7.

Many destinies have been lied waste today due to so many factors such as famine, governmental factors, environmental factors, personal effects etc.

3. Mephiboseth was remembered. II Sam. 9: 1 – 3: At the appointed time David remembered Jonathan his friend, and he was ready to pay him all the good deed he has done for him while he was in trouble, Jonathan was no longer alive but he planted a good seed while on earth for his son to harvest.

i. What did your own ancestors plant for you?

ii. What are you planting for your own coming generations?

iii. What has always been your attitude to those that has helped you in the past?

Let us make necessary amendments to our life, David did not just sit back, he searched for Mephiboseth. Our benefactor will locate us in Jesus name.

4. Divine restoration. Ii Sam. 9: 9 – 13: Mephiboseth was later restored into the position of his father despite the fact that he was a lame man, he lived in Jerusalem and ate on King’s table as King’s son till the day of his death.

Conclusion: Mephiboseth a living dog was preferred to Jonathan and Saul a dead lion, in their own grave they could not receive any reward and prosperity but Mephiboseth who was helpless but because he was alive, was later remembered and elevated. Don’t give up