“In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.” 2 Samuel 15:6
Nobody wants to owe their existence to anybody. We want to claim sovereignty over our own lives and, often, over the lives of others
People don’t like to owe their blessings to the largess of others. They prefer to believe their privileges accrue to them naturally. In fact, it doesn’t take long for many children to resent their parents for all the life blessings they receive. It implies they are in debt.
Well, they are...
When this happens, ungrateful children begin to usurp their parents’ authority and...in extreme cases...eliminate them.
Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint to bring to the king for arbitration, Absalom would call out to him, “What city are you from?” The person would answer, “I, your servant, am from one of the tribes of Israel.” Absalom would then say to him, “Look, your claims are legitimate and appropriate. But there is no representative of the king who will listen to you.” Absalom would then say, “If only they would make me a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.”
5 When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him. Absalom acted this way toward everyone in Israel who came to the king for justice. In this way Absalom won the loyalty of the citizens of Israel.
Absalom knew as long as David was king...he wasn’t.
After four years Absalom said to his father, “Let me go and repay my vow that I made to the Lord while I was in Hebron. For I made this vow when I was living in Geshur in Aram: ‘If the Lord really does allow me to return to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord.’” King David replied to him, “Go in peace.” So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.
Then Absalom sent spies through all the tribes of Israel who said, “When you hear the sound of the horn, you may assume that Absalom rules in Hebron.” The people were starting to side with Absalom. A messenger came to King David and reported, “The men of Israel are loyal to Absalom!” So David said “Come on! Let’s escape! Otherwise no one will be delivered from Absalom!”
The story of Absalom’s rebellion is a metaphor for our natural human rebellion against God. We all learn, early in life, if God is God...we aren’t. So, discomfort turns to frustration, which turns to hatred, which turns to rebellion, which turns to murderous intention.
It’s the way of the world. It explains the turmoil in our world. We shouldn’t look down our noses at Absalom. He’s merely emblematic of what naturally lurks in the heart of every one of us.
I would think being a child of the king would be enough of a blessing. Of course, I would think being a child of God would be enough of a blessing.
The question shines a spotlight on our hearts: What am I trying to take from others? Independence? Influence? Authority?
We don’t like the pastor so...just like Absalom...we conspire to build a rebellion and get rid of him. We covet out parents’ wealth and connive ways of taking it from them. We resent our friend’s influence with others and undermine them.
We aren’t sovereign...we aren’t God. We need to be at peace with the truth that we are entirely dependent on God’s mercy and grace; that nothing we possess is is a result of our own natural right. Or, are God’s blessings just not enough?
Live boldly out there today...
