FRIDAY 22 July, 2016
The Making of Monuments
Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up a pillar for himself, which is in the King’s Valley. For he said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He called the pillar after his own name. And to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.- 2 Samuel 18:18
Absalom, had built his own stony monument, a memorial to himself. Now he lay un-honored in a pit covered by large stones to be forgotten. He was privileged in life, being a prince to the son of the famed King David––who loved him immensely. You cannot help but think, “What a waste of life.” He could have been a pillar in Jerusalem, a help to his father and a servant to the people. Instead, he became a big problem.
Perhaps, one day in the future you will be able to join us in going to Israel. There you will be able to stand on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem, to see the Eastern gate. As you peer down into the Kidron Valley, there you will see a triangle dome. The people of Israel call it ‘The Pillar of Absalom’ or ‘Absalom’s monument’ and tell you it was his tomb. The architecture was influenced by the Hellenistic time period; it had nothing to do with Absalom––this is not where he was buried.
James, Cephas and John, clearly stood out to the Apostle Paul aspillars of theChurch (Galatians 2:9). These men were in the position of authority and had laid down the foundational doctrine of the Church. We can also become pillars in the Church, when we helpsupport our leaders and as we serve the people. First Timothy 3:15 tells us:…know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Ask yourself this important question, “Am I a pillar or a problem in the Church?”
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more…
~Revelations 3:12~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!