Insight Into Scripture
When the Old Testament speaks of "The land devouring people" (18:8) it is indicating a hostile, inhospitable environment.
Ten Shekel and a warrior's belt (18:11) would be one year's worth of pay and a distinctive article of clothing.
The javelin used to strike Absalom would have been a blunt rod. The heart section that the Bible refers to would have been Absalom's chest area. (18:14)
This is a picture of Absalom's monument. You can find the story of the death of Absalom in 2 Samuel 18:18 "Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself the pillar that 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 it is called Absalom's monument to this day."
The tomb is known today as Yad Avshalom (Avshalom's Monument) and is located in the Kidron Valley in Jerusalem, situated between the Temple Mount and Mount of Olives.
A custom that the people of Jerusalem had for centuries is that they used to come to this monument with their children and stone it, to show children what happens to sons who disobey their parents.
Scripture Reading
9 And Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great terebinth, and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on. 10 And a certain man saw it and told Joab, "Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak."
14 Joab said, "I will not waste time like this with you." And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak. 15 And ten young men, Joab's armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him and killed him.
16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops came back from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained them. 17 And they took Absalom and threw him into a great pit in the forest and raised over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled every one to his own home. - 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14-17
Thought for the Day
As I was reading how Absalom died, having his head stuck, I am sure that his long, beautiful, heavy hair did not help his situation. I remembered a couple of chapters before (14:25-26) where it described Absalom as a very handsome man, and the Bible made light of his very heavy hair. I could not help but to get the sense that Absalom may have been very prideful of his beautiful hair. How ironic that the very thing he may have been prideful of, was the very thing that may have gotten him killed?
Jesus taught against pride and boasting, and praised the meek and humble."Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted". -Matt. 23:12
He gave us examples of what not to do in Luke 20:46-47 - "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." Yes, Jesus was very clear where YAHWEH stands on the issue.
Pride is a hard emotion to keep in check in today's world. Being a servant and humble is almost looked down upon as weak, and a poor quality. But the greatest man who ever lived, was the most humble and servant-hearted man. How is your pride level? Do you find yourself always outdoing the other person you are talking to? Are you more interested in yourself than the other person? I will leave you with a quote from What Jesus Demands of the World by John Piper (A very GOOD Book)
"Boasting is the voice of pride in the heart of the strong. Self-pity is the voice of pride in the heart of the weak."
Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus
Father thank You for your great stories. Thank You for teaching me through Your word. I pray that I will be meek and humble more and more everyday. I pray that I can be a shining example for You. Father I pray for the unknowing people, I pray that their hearts will be touched and Your word will be heard.
I love You father and I pray in Your Name,
Amen.
Bible Trivia
What does the apostle Paul, in the book of Romans, say Christians are not under, now that they are under grace?
a) Condemnation
b) The Flesh
c) The Law
d) The Curse
Hint: Romans 6:14-15
'ehevu 'ethashem (Love the LORD)
3 comments:
Bible Trivia
What does the apostle Paul, in the book of Romans, say Christians are not under, now that they are under grace?
a)
b)
c)The Law
d)
Romans 6:14-15-
14) For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
15) What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!
Now I know I may be the only one that thinks this or sees this in this way. When I read this passage and take time to think of the grace that God has shown me and continues to show it humbles me so. I am so thankful for the way He still allows FREE WILL..
In creation of man He allowed FREE WILL.
After the fall of man He still allowed FREE WILL.
Even after seeing the Law was not working He gave the ultimate sacrifice for us HIS SON and He still allows FREE WILL.
I am amazed how God loves us still that He is still striving with man to trust Him and do His will by mans FREE WILL.
IN CHRIST
Ecc.3
Donna
The justice of God pursued them and suffered them not to live.
2Samuel 18:8 caught my attention. In defeat the rebels were trying to find refuge.
My thoughts,
what refuge can be found from divine vengeance? The pits and bogs, the stumps and thickets, and, as the Chaldee paraphrase understands it, the wild beasts of the wood, were probably the death of multitudes of the dispersed distracted Israelites.
In there defeat they took flight to the woods where they thought they were safe from David's men, and said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. They still did not get for whom Gods was for. As I said above there is no refuge for devine vengeance.
This flight with which they hoped to save themselves lead them to final destruction.
God has fought for David, and yet fought against him.
How like us can this be when we should be running toward God we tend to go in any direction but His, and He is our only divine refuge and safe shelter.
IN CHRIST
Ecc.3
Donna
HANGING BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH:
This statement found in 2 Samuel 18 is being said of Abslom as his head was caught between branches and his mule walked from under him and left him hanging between heaven and earth. This being said of Absalom I also think it could be said of his father David. David was also HANGING BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH, torn between being the king of God’s chosen people and the father to a wayward son.
Many years of trouble between father and son left the normal closeness of a father and son less than normal. David loved his son and I am sure he was full of varing thoughts of his son Absalom.
As David comes to know what Absalom was going to do, would David be dad or the King ? There were other times I am sure David was torn as to he was, the Dad or the King, thus David HANGING BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH.
Looking at this story I can say that many times in life I have hung between HEAVEN AND EARTH, how bout you?
I bet we can all remember a time when we were torn about a decision. We will base the decision on one thing and it should have been on another. We get caught up by the things of earth and God and we will allow confusion to come in our decision making process. Before we know it the chance to respond has slipped away. There are so many instances when I look back in hindsight and recognize that I failed to seize the moment or even completely missed the boat. Again here I can thank God for GRACE AND NOT LAW...
God through Jesus Christ does not leave us “hanging between heaven and earth.” God continually works through people and events to attempt to bring us to His will.
This reminds me of another that hung between HEAVEN AND EARTH by His choice. In His choosing to HANG BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH for us God’s grace shown in it's purest form and brought a way to victory over death and victoy over HANGING BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH.
IN CHRIST
Ecc.3
Donna
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