TUESDAY 10 April, 2018
Concern for the Culprit
So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was concerned about Absalom. And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel; do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has been mourning a long time for the dead. - 2 Samuel 14:1-2
David is concerned over Absalom, he wanted him back home but at the same time, how could he bring him back after what he had done? What would that show to the people he reigned over? It just was not possible––he would have to wait and let God work. Imagine how David must have spent so much time at night thinking about his son. He may have asked himself, “How did this happen?” Perhaps he thought over how he was a poor disciplinarian. Even if he blamed himself he could not change the past––it was too late, they were already separated…
Joab perceived that David wanted Absalom to return. David’s relationship with his son was broken and he felt sorry for him. He sent for a wise woman in Tekoa; a place ten miles south of Jerusalem where the prophet Amos was born. Joab would work on David’s heart, to return Absalom home, through manipulating him through this wise woman. Even though Joab was manipulating the situation, I believe with all my heart that God gave Absalom another opportunity to make things right with his father.
Any parent’s heart would be concerned over a son or a daughter who has left home because they had done something wrong. But no matter the reason, they are still our children and we love them. I am sure many parents have stayed awake at night thinking about their children. We cannot change the past or carry the burden of mistakes we may have made. We need to cast our cares upon Jesus… (1 Peter 5:7).
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
~Psalm 55:22~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!
