2 Samuel 17:23
23 When Ahithophel saw that his
counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own
city. He set his house in order, and hanged himself; he died and was buried in
the tomb of his father. [1]
Observation:
Ahithophel was a trusted advisor to
King David. So much so that his words were considered to be as from God.
Absalom, David’s son, also trusted him greatly and found that he was a valuable
ally in trying to overthrow his father the king. However, David was God’s anointed
king. Absalom was sinning by trying to destroy his father. David had prayed
that Ahithophel’s counsel would become foolishness. Interestingly, Ahithophel’s
counsel for Absalom was still sound, instead it was in the mind of Absalom and
the leaders of Israel that his counsel seemed foolish. Instead, Absalom follows
the counsel of Hushai, David’s spy. This is too much for Ahithophel to bear.
His authority has been broken; to ignore the counsel of one so highly accepted
reduced him to a liar or fool. His ego is broken. Perhaps he realizes that
David would never have questioned his authority and now he is nothing to the
new king. Like Judas, he realizes he has betrayed the one true king. In his
desperation, he hangs himself.
Application:
It is one
thing to betray other humans, it is entirely another to betray God. Ironically,
when we betray others, we are betraying God. The depth of failed betrayal can
produce extreme loneliness and remorse. Ahithophel could not imagine returning
to David, and Ahithophel had rejected him. Judas could not imagine returning to
Jesus (since he was crucified) and the Rulers of Israel rejected him. In both
cases, death seemed the only viable option. Many at sometime in their life feel
this kind of despair. They become overwhelmed with bad choices, and sense that
there is no one to turn to. They think of how friends will not understand, how
those they may have hurt would never accept them, even the church seems to be
only a place of judgment, and Jesus seems to perfect to come to for help.
Sadly, there are many folks walking around as dead as Ahithophel and Judas.
Hopeless!
I do not
know what David would have done, but we do know what Jesus would have done for
Judas. Had Judas waited for the resurrection and run to the nail pierced feet
of Jesus, Jesus would have restored him. Yes, Jesus would have forgiven him.
That is what the Body of Christ is to do. We are in the reconciling business.
Perhaps it is time for the Body of Christ to remember that we are not here to
condemn the world but we are here to be the living revelation of God’s love. As believers we can show the incredible life
changing love of God to those who believe, yet feel unaccepted. Warts and
all we are to welcome those who are lost from Jesus. Jesus is Hope!
Prayer:
[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), 2 Sa 17:23.
No comments:
Post a Comment