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 20:12,
"Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him."
Here is the ignominious end of Amasa: road kill. We first hear of him being placed over the army by Absalom during his revolt against his father David. (Joab was David's army commander prior to Absalom's revolt.) Later, Amasa was chosen by David to replace Joab as commander of his military forces after Joab killed David's son, Absalom (against David's wishes). "And say to Amasa, 'Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.'" 2 Samuel 19:13.
However, Amasa's position as "commander of my [David's] army for life" was not for long as his tenure was ended at his own irresponsibility. "But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him." Joab saw his opportunity and killed Amasa when he went with Abishai to quash the uprising by a man named Sheba. (Following the accounting of these events, the list of officials in King David's court names Joab as the commander over Israel's "entire army" verse 23.)
"Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him."
Here is the ignominious end of Amasa: road kill. We first hear of him being placed over the army by Absalom during his revolt against his father David. (Joab was David's army commander prior to Absalom's revolt.) Later, Amasa was chosen by David to replace Joab as commander of his military forces after Joab killed David's son, Absalom (against David's wishes). "And say to Amasa, 'Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.'" 2 Samuel 19:13.
However, Amasa's position as "commander of my [David's] army for life" was not for long as his tenure was ended at his own irresponsibility. "But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him." Joab saw his opportunity and killed Amasa when he went with Abishai to quash the uprising by a man named Sheba. (Following the accounting of these events, the list of officials in King David's court names Joab as the commander over Israel's "entire army" verse 23.)
A wonderful opportunity lost by failing to follow the directions of a king. While not intending to draw any similarity between the two (because none exists) I nevertheless am mindful of what opportunities I may miss or cut short myself by failing to follow my King Jesus Christ.
Yes, the Lord forgives, yes I enjoy his love and acceptance. But what opportunities might I miss out on due to my own irresponsibility - say, as with Amasa, taking too long to get something done? For him it was to gather the troops. But for me, it might be things like studying Scripture, spending time in prayer, sharing my faith, etc.?
Just a thought....
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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