Northern Arkansas is a beautiful place. In it is a small town named, ‘Fifty-Six.’ Apparently, the founding fathers wanted to call it ‘Newcomb,’ but somebody said, ‘No.’ And since the government had already designated the area the “Fifty-Six School District,” the name stuck. Apart from being on a list of unusual place names, it is also known for its tourist attraction, The Blanchard Springs Caverns, and their large, in percentage terms, population increase in recent years from 163 to 173 persons. In the Bible is a man who was given a name that no one would want. Nabal was his name. Everyone knew that it meant ‘fool,’ and everyone would have credited his name for his unfortunate disposition. His brief and tragic story is told in 1 Samuel 25. When David’s men came to ask for a goodwill gift of food from Nabal, Nabal insulted David as if he were some fugitive slave. David’s response had murderous intent. Fortunately, for everyone, Nabal’s wife, Abigail, took gifts of food to David and got down on her face and begged his forgiveness. She said of her husband: “Don’t pay attention to this worthless man Nabal. He is like his name. His name means ‘fool,’ and he is truly a fool” (1Sam.25:25). David relented for her sake. On her arrival home she found her husband drunk and oblivious to the slaughter that his good wife had wisely averted. She waited till morning to tell him how close certain doom had come to his doorstep. “His heart stopped, and he became like stone. About ten days later the LORD struck Nabal and he died” (1Sam.25:37-38). I have met men with names that their mothers should have had more sense to name them. Nabal obviously had talent, energy, and wealth. These were his badges of self-honour to prove to everyone that he was ‘no fool.’ But he lacked that which was most important—a humble spirit toward God. What a blessed outcome it would have been if he had chosen instead to be known as that ‘Fool’ for God.
0 Comments