The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 14:1,
"Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king's [David's] heart longed for Absalom."
Joab was the commander of King David's armed forces and Absalom was David's son. Absalom had killed another son of David, Absalom's half-brother, Amnon, who had raped Absalom's sister Tamar. Having killed Amnon, Absalom had fled from David.
Joab knew David well and knew that David missed his son, Absalom, who was guilty before David. A plan was devised to bring about the return of Absalom because of David's longing for him. Due to his crime, Absalom was estranged from David and for the return of Absalom, David's character and nature would have to be assuaged. The eventual outcome of the hatched plan is given in verse 33, "Then the king [David] summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom."
The one driving force that brought about this reconciliation (at this time) was David's longing for Absalom. Without attempting to make too strong of a parallel of this story to God's story of redemption for mankind, I can't help but be reminded that were it not for God's longing for us, just as David for his estranged son, we would have no opportunity for reconciliation with God. We would be without hope in this lost and fallen world, doomed to an eternity I shudder to think about.
The hope that we have for an eternal life of eternal pleasures at God's right hand, Psalm 16:11, is entirely because of God's longing for us all. I am reminded of what Paul had to say in Romans 9:16, "It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy."
"Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king's [David's] heart longed for Absalom."
Joab was the commander of King David's armed forces and Absalom was David's son. Absalom had killed another son of David, Absalom's half-brother, Amnon, who had raped Absalom's sister Tamar. Having killed Amnon, Absalom had fled from David.
Joab knew David well and knew that David missed his son, Absalom, who was guilty before David. A plan was devised to bring about the return of Absalom because of David's longing for him. Due to his crime, Absalom was estranged from David and for the return of Absalom, David's character and nature would have to be assuaged. The eventual outcome of the hatched plan is given in verse 33, "Then the king [David] summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom."
The one driving force that brought about this reconciliation (at this time) was David's longing for Absalom. Without attempting to make too strong of a parallel of this story to God's story of redemption for mankind, I can't help but be reminded that were it not for God's longing for us, just as David for his estranged son, we would have no opportunity for reconciliation with God. We would be without hope in this lost and fallen world, doomed to an eternity I shudder to think about.
The hope that we have for an eternal life of eternal pleasures at God's right hand, Psalm 16:11, is entirely because of God's longing for us all. I am reminded of what Paul had to say in Romans 9:16, "It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy."
How astonishing that mercy, given our sinful condition we created for ourselves! How remarkable that God would love us such that he would extend his mercy toward us! How amazing is God's heart that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ to pay for our sins that his mercy could be expressed to us!
How wonderful the heart of our God!!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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