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Absalom Has Something To Say To Us

Many times in life, we learn very valuable lessons from the most unlikely people and circumstances. We rarely learn by direct instruction. Little wonder the Bible declares that “Sorrow is better than laughter; it may sadden your face, but it sharpens your understanding. Someone who is always thinking about happiness is a fool. A wise person thinks about death (Eccl. 7:3-4 GNB)”. Such “negative learning” usually leaves a long-lasting and indelible mark in us.
Today, we turn our attention to Absalom. His story spans through 2Samuel 13 -19; however, we will zoom in to Chapters 13 and 14 for our meditation today.
Absalom is one of King David’s sons; a very handsome young man whose became very popular among his people. He later became rebellious and declared himself king of Israel, causing David his father to run for his dear life. In the course of the war that ensued, his long hair got caught up on a tree and he hung there in the air helplessly while his mule kept running. He was eventually killed by Joab, the Chief Commander of David, and his men.
One of his half-brothers, Ammon, raped his sister, Tamar. He waited for two whole years before he retaliated, killing Ammon for defiling his sister. Recognising the gravity of what he did, he ran away. After three years on exile, the king (David, his father) sent for, and brought him back to the kingdom. However, he instructed that Absalom should never see his face; he was to go straight to his own house and never appear at the palace, let alone see the king.
So, for the next two years, Absalom did not see the face of the king, let alone speak to him or hear his voice – even though he lived in the kingdom; even though he was a SON of the king.
However, when he came to his senses, he began to ask himself serious questions: why did my father sent for, and brought me back to the kingdom; yet not see his face at least? I will arise and go to my father. If he still counts my iniquity, let him kill me. I rather am dead than remain in the kingdom without seeing my father the king.
He tried to get the attention of Joab, David’s Commander-in-Chief, but when Joab refused to respond, he set his farm on fire just to force him to respond. Crazy, isn’t it? Absalom was a man that knows what he wants and how to get it.
***
As Christians, we have a Father who is also the King of the whole universe. It may be that, like Absalom, you have been barred from seeing the King due to something you did in the past. Yes, you’re a child of God; but you have no contact with the Father. Like the children of Israel in the desert, you have out-sourced hearing from God to some “Moses” out there. You assess yourself and you judge yourself to be fine in that situation – as long as you get your daily portion of “blessings”.
Absalom lived in this condition for two whole years before he came to his senses! How long have you been in this condition? Do you have to wait that long? How come you’re comfortable as a child of God when you don’t (or you hardly) hear from Him? How come you’re comfortable with just claiming “promises” declared by other children (or, are they men?) of God – promises not necessarily meant for you? You’re busy typing “Amen” to every online prayer-post you see, irrespective of who posted or shared it. You think you’re fine; think again!
I don’t know the gravity of what you have done to get out of tune with God; but I can tell you with certainty that the worst situation is to be a child of God in the Kingdom without seeing the Face and hearing the Voice of God. Get up now. Find your way back to the Palace, to the Throne of Grace. Absalom was ready for the worst: to be killed by the king; but the testimony of Scripture (2Sam.14:33; Luk.15:20-24) is that God Himself misses you!
He wants you back, and He’s not going to make it difficult at all for you to re-establish you cordial relationship with Him. Get over yourself and lies of the Devil, and get back to God – today, NOW.
Come to the Saviour, make no delay;
Here in His Word he’s shown us the way;
Here in our midst He’s standing today,
Tenderly saying, “Come!”
Think once again, He’s with us today;
Heed now His blest command, and obey;
Hear now His accents tenderly say,
“Will you, my children, come?”
May Absalom not witness against us on the Last Day.
“Now that you know this truth, how happy [blessed] you will be if you put it into practice!”
– Jesus Christ (John 13:17 GNB).
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