Wow. Intense readings today. As could be expected from Absalom's pursuit of his ego and pride the past few chapters, his sin catches up with him....literally....his beautiful hair that he admonished eventually became his undoing.
The last few days of reading had been very sobering because we see how the effects of David's sin stretch farther than just himself. Earlier, the prophet Nathan confronts David about him and Bathsheba and says that there will be division between him and his family. The consequences were huge because David was in a place of leadership both legislatively and spiritually. The division became so great that his own daughter was raped(Tamar) by her half-brother, then Absalom kills his brother who raped Tamar. Then Absalom forms a military coup against David which leads to further civil war against Judah and Israel.
When we finally get to today's reading, Joab kills Absalom and David mourns over his sons death. While on one hand I do appreciate David's grace and love for his son Absalom, I have to say that I really do appreciate Joab's boldness & wisdom in rebuking David in verses 5 through 8:
"We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed, as though we had done something wrong. You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that we mean nothing to you. If Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. Now go out there and congratulate the troops, for I swear by the LORD that if you don't, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than you have ever been."
That is quite a speech by Joab to David! And I believe he was right. David's love for his son was admirable in one sense - but it also could be seen as selfish in another sense. David seemed to care more for his son than for the nation of Israel, and Joab called him out on this. It is interesting how sometimes our love for one person can cloud everything else going on in our lives. Love for one person is a beautiful thing. But it seems that we should also be cognizant of others around us too - and love them. And sometimes, like David, we may need to realize that there is a greater good - a greater love - than the singular love we have been focusing on. This is not easy to discern of course... hopefully this makes some....
God allows us to go through these trials to make us stronger, It was not God's desire for David to sin, but to trust and obey, but thank God there was still forgiveness, grace, mercy, along with the opportunity for repentance and restoration on David's part.
The last part of our reading today I feel fits well with the others becauseI think the last 3 verses of this Psalm are worth us camping out on here for a moment. In verses 174, 175 & 176 the author of Psalm 119 closes out the Psalm with what I think is a prayer and a confession all in one - "O LORD, I have longed for your salvation, and your law is my delight. Let me live so I can praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands." Wow... not a bad prayer and confession, eh?
One Thing Challenge:
Is God's Word your delight?
Do you wish to live so you can praise God?
Does His Word sustain you?
Reminds me of this song that reminds of how much we ALL need to be RESCUED by Jesus!
P.T.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment