BARZILLAI’S KISS
Mention the word kiss and folks' ears tend to perk up. And if you mention kissing in the Bible, that really gets folks' attention. Kissing really is an ancient family greeting - most of the patriarchs expressed their devotions through kissing.
Some of the different kissers in the Bible include:
Orpah kissed Ruth - Ruth 1:4 (a goodbye kiss)
Samuel kissed Saul - I Samuel 10:1 (an anointing kiss)
Jacob kissed Isaac - Gen. 27:27 (a family kiss)
Jacob kissed Rachel - Gen. 29:11 (a love kiss)
David kissed Jonathan - I Sam. 20:41 (a friendship kiss)
False idols kissed - I Kings 19:18 (blasphemy kiss)
Judas kissed Yeshua Jesus - Matt. 26:49 (a betrayal kiss)
The father kissed the Prodigal son - Luke 15:20 (a father's kiss)
In II Samuel 19:31 on, we learn of Barzillai. His name means strong or iron in Hebrew. He sustained David and his men when they were being pursued by Absalom. Barzillai was older than David, and perhaps served as a mentor to him, and offered David encouragement.
In II Kings 19:31, we read that David met up with Barzillai a second time. Barzillai was four-score (eighty years old), the Bible tells us that he was 'a very great man'. David invited Barzillai to return with him to Jerusalem, and David (now the king) promised to take care of him and sustain him there.
Barzillai reminded David of his age and of his limited abilities:
Can I discern between good and evil?
Can I taste what I eat or drink?
Can I hear singing?
Why should I burden you, the king?
He implored David to let him remain behind with his family, that he 'might die in his own city and be buried by the grave of his father and of his mother'. Barzillai then Chimkam (his son or servant), to King David. All the people went over the Jordan, and when the king came over,
the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him.
Here we see Barzillai, an octogenarian, yet wise in his later years. He was a great man. Even though he was old, King David saw value in him and sought him out. Barzillai sustained David during distress; now King David returns to repay the favor. Yet Barzillai desires to remain behind with his family, and as he parts from David, the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him.
Isn't it easy to see yourself at times like Barzillai? Maybe your senses are getting a bit dull, you now need
reading glasses, or a hearing aid. Maybe your skill and agility is bit less than it was when you were younger, or your discernment is a bit less. Maybe you have struggled with an illness lately.
Yet the King delights in you.
The King desires to kiss you with the kisses of His mouth. (Song of Solomon)
You are His delight.
He seeks you out, simply to tell you that He desires to kiss you and bless you.
He longs to provide for you.
You are precious in His sight.
He loves you so much, that He sent His own Son to die for you, that you might live.
Think of all His kisses to you:
He redeems your life from the pit
He heals all your diseases, colds, flubugs, etc.
He crowns you with lovingkindness.
He gives you good things.
He renews your youth like the eagle.
He performs righteous deeds for your behalf.
He makes His ways known to you.
He is gracious to you.
He is slow to anger.
He never deals with you according to your sins or iniquities.
His love to you is as high as the heavens.
As far as the east is from the west, that distance He has removed your transgressions
from you.
He has Fatherly compassion on you.
He is mindful that you are dust.
His love upon you is forever.
Psalm 103
He has chosen you (I Thess 1:4)
You are His workmanship (Eph 2:10)
He lavishes riches of grace upon you (Eph 1:8)
He makes known to you the mysteries of His will (Eph 1:9)
You are His heir (Gal. 4:7)
No eye has seen, nor ear has heard
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him. I Corin 2:9