Let's come to second Samuel. Chapter 14.
And let's plant ourselves to start here in verse 21.
Sometimes it is very difficult to do the right thing that is
essentially the summary of our study from this chapter that
began last week and that summary comes from the observation that
the man after God's heart, David was internally torn.
Because of a dilemma concerning his son Absalom and this was the
Dilemma the law demanded. That Absalom be put to death
because he had killed his half-brother.
At the same time. David without the crown was a
father. And as a father, he yearned for
the well-being of his erring child, even though Justice was
did of him. So what is even going to do?
Well, joab was observant of the internal struggle, that his
friend, and his boss was dealing with on a day-to-day basis.
And so, he comes up with a plan and the plan that job comes up
with is to bring an actress, a very crafty woman to present a
certain case, that would persuade David to finally,
settle to settle the struggle and to make a decision, instead
of wavering between two opinions, unfortunately, The
persuasion is going to lead David to neglect and ignore the
law. And instead pursued,
disobedience, in the Name of Love, in the name of mercy and
the name of forgiveness, whatever you want to call it
nonetheless, it was deviance. It was to stray away from the
truth and this woman speech that you and I studied last week is
sort of a example. Of how Temptation works.
Temptation often suggests to us that if we subscribe to the
authority of the scripture, then you might be suddenly for
something that is unjust unloving unwise and maybe even
unable to bring about satisfying results.
In other words Temptation tries to tell you that going with what
God Said as your best and only option may not be your best
option. That there are alternatives.
This woman reminds us. That human wisdom is right
there. Ready to tempt us to believe
something other than what God had declared about the matter
every single time, be aware of that be prepared for that.
And how she presented the clan that demanded Justice for that
murder that she presented in her story points to that truth.
Those people, that family that wanted Justice in her story
seemed to be inconsiderate and cruel. but with David did here,
unfortunately, he's going to learn the hard way that no
matter how loving or no matter how compassionate and
alternative may be drifting away from the word of God, will
always come at a greater cost than obeying it and that is
precisely what we are going to finish.
Studying the remaining verses in this chapter are going to
compact that truth. That when we are debating
between compromise or consecration, we must always
trust God's word, no matter how painful it may seem or no matter
how pricey it may be always. So the point of this Bible study
tonight is to strengthen your resolve and to equip you in such
a way that when that time of testing does arrive to your
front step, you would have the example of David seen here, come
before your mind to Remind you of obedience is worth it.
It may not even make sense at this point, but I can trust the
word of God. And no matter how appealing or
no matter how profitable any other option, especially the
options that try to convince you, otherwise should be
rejected as soon as possible I want you.
And I, as we begin to read these verses, look at three things
concerning compromise. And the first thing I want you
to see is David's commitment to his compromised, the commitment
to his compromise. So we read in verse 21.
Then the king said to Joe, I behold.
Now, I grant this go. Bring back the young man.
Absalom and job fell on his face to the ground.
At paying homage and bless the king and George said today, your
servant knows that I found favor in your sight.
My Lord the king and that the King has, granted the request of
his servant. So, joab, arose, and went to go
ashore and brought Absalom to Jerusalem and the King said, let
him dwell apart in his own house.
He is. Not to come into my presence.
So Absalom lived apart in his own house, and did not come into
the king's presence. David's commitment to his
compromise is highlighted in verse 21 verse 21 after
realizing and learning. That Joy was behind this whole
scheme David gives him the green light to fetch for Absalom.
Now, you would think that if you've learned that a man like
Joe, I was behind this whole facade that it would discourage
you from moving forward with the idea because job was not the
most righteous roster of David's men.
Why? I agree with somebody who does
not agree with the totality of God's word, makes you scratch
your head. But we see here, David obviously
is persuaded. To pursue and one might object
and say well David was under an oath.
Remember the woman brought David to such a point where he calls
upon the lord's name and invokes his name to essentially seal the
deal concerning his judgment about this parabolic incident.
And David in that actually sealed his own decision
concerning Absalom, lest he become a hypocrite by Taking
Back his word. And so one might say, well, we
have to have sympathy for David here because he is bound by a
promise, a promise that includes Heavens courts, so to speak.
But here's my question to you because the Bible presents vows
and Promises on a whole other level than we do in this day of
age. We can say, I promise or I will
and that really means nothing to us.
But in this time when you made a vow, your life was on it, you
would rather die than break a promise that was the culture.
That's really what God's word wants to instill in his people
that you and I be trustworthy with our word, but is it the
case that David was in a Position.
Where you could not Escape, what he had said.
That's my actual question to you.
Now, you know, what will really help this will this will help.
The this will help those who are senior students in our Friday
night. Bible study, think back to the
Book of Judges. Think back to the Book of
Judges, where we studied a tragedy about a man who made a
vow concerning. What?
His daughter. Well, he didn't know what time
that it would be about his daughter.
He thought it would just about, hopefully, an animal or beast
that would come to his sight when he returned from war after.
God, gave him Victory. But it, in fact was his
daughter. And he kept that, and he
actually killed his daughter in the name of a promise.
So now if you were there, you know, the answer, you know, the
answer to what about to say. Was David in a position where he
could not escape from his word. Yes, or no?
Who says, yes. One of those again who says know
who says, I don't know. And I don't care who knows that,
I don't know. Okay, that's okay, I appreciate
honesty. I am under the persuasion
according to the scripture that David had the ability to revoke
his promise. You know how I believe that not
because of my subjective reasoning, Leviticus chapter 5,
would you turn to the exciting and riveting Book of Leviticus?
I don't say that sarcastically I love The Book of Leviticus,
Leviticus chapter 5. If you view the Book of
Leviticus through the New Covenant, it's an exciting,
citing read and Leviticus 54. We receive instructions about
how one can know relief after making a Arash foul, Leviticus 5
verse 4, or if anyone utters with his lips, a rash oath to do
evil. Do you see that or to do good,
any sort of rash oath that people swear?
And it is hidden from him when he comes to know it and he
realizes his guilt? Well, let's pause there for a
moment, okay? So here's here's the basis of
the instruction, when somebody makes a promise or a vow to do
something or not to do, But then somewhere along that he realizes
his guilt, he realizes that he should not move forward with.
This is there is a way of escape and it is Cheer verse 5 when he
realizes his guilt and any of these, and confesses the sin, he
has committed. He shall bring to the Lord as
his compensation for the sin that he has committed a female
from the flock, a lamb, or a goat, or a sin offering, and the
priest shall make a atonement for him for his sin.
So yeah, breaking your vow is wrong, in the sight of God, but
if you have to break it, If you realize you're wrong and making
it or in pursuing and moving forward with it, then there is
atonement, that is available to avoid it to avoid it.
And that was true for the man that we studied in judges.
And that is true for David right here in this case with David
should have done. If he knew the law as well as he
should have, is pause and apologized for his mistake.
I may have made a vow, but my vow was wrong.
Excuse me, now, I have to go make a sacrifice to God and said
he doubles down instead. He says, you know what, let's do
this, I grant this thing, let's move forward with it.
Unfortunately, he failed to see the lesson that is for you.
And I today, and here's the lesson based on this instruction
and what we see in David's life, no matter how committed you
maybe to a sin, no matter how deep you might think you are in,
you're wrong, it is never too late to escape never.
You know, you have some people that rationalize like that you
have some people who get involved in a relationship and
they go so far deep in physical intimacy and they Think to
themselves. Well, we've gone so far.
He Why? Stop Now people actually think
like this. Or you have people who mess
around and are dishonest with their finances.
And and they think that, you know, if I leave now I'll make a
greater mass or if I stop this and will create more problems
and so let me just move forward with it.
Anyway, I'm already this deep, if I get caught, I get caught.
What can I do about it? And the whole idea here is no
like First Corinthians 10 promises as there is always a
way of escape and like what we see here in Leviticus we can be
assured that we can change courses and the earlier we do
it. The better had David at stopped
here. Had David said, I appreciate
your appeal to me and how you're trying to persuade me to make a
decision. But this is wrong.
I can't do this. Then chapter 15 in chapter 16
and all the tragedies and the following verses and paragraphs
would not have happened. Wouldn't have been a civil war.
Very likely absum wouldn't have died in a tragic way.
And many other lives wouldn't have been lost at the same time.
And so we have to understand here that David commits to his
compromise when he could have escaped from it.
And you and I have to understand that the direction of Our Lives
does not have to be sealed by our foolishness.
We can actually change course by realizing that God has provided
forgiveness at any point of our disobedience.
His commitment to his compromise.
But the next thing that we see is the compensation for his
compromised. There's compensation for his
compromise, right? Where do you see that?
We see it in verse 22 and joab. Fell on his face to the ground
and paid homage and bless the king.
And job said today, your servant knows that I have found favor in
your sight, my Lord the king and not the King has granted the
request of his servant. So once he receives the
permission to fetch for Absalom, he falls face and he Praises
David. He gushes out without Elation
and appreciation. Whenever you and I deviate from
God's word in anything, there are always be somebody who will
be happy about that. When we compromise, you'll have
people who will be happy about your compromise, there's no
doubt about it. And for some that perceived
reward is enough to drift I'm not saying that David did this
because he wanted to make job hobby, but I'm also saying that
job treating dating. This way did not make it for
David to reconsider his choice and what job is doing here is
what the woman Toccoa did with David, as well.
So scroll back here to chapter 14, we're still in that same
chapter. But look at verse 17, this is
when the woman spoke to David and she said in your Our servant
thought the word of my Lord, the king will set me at rest for my
Lord. The king is like the angel of
God to discern, good and evil. The Lord your God be with you.
So here's this woman flattering David and there's so much irony
here because she is essentially telling David and crowning
David. Because of his discernment
apparently. When he'll acted obviously, And
in more than that, she Comforts David by invoking God's blessing
upon him for making this decision.
And so here, what here's what you and I have to understand, we
have to be very careful of those who try to soothe our
conscience, through flattery or through Vain and empty promises.
There are people who make compromise much easier for us,
who was celebrate our compromise, who will encourage
it, who will dismiss the consequences of it.
Who will, Who will try to keep your eyes on the prize for the
decision that you made? And that is a scary thought?
There's erroneous pronouncement of God's favor upon foolishness.
There's this idea of support and people are lured and secured
into their Disobedience because of others who who think the same
way as you do, or at least want you to think the same way, you
know what David could have done. You know what David should have
done. Well, you and I have to do at
all points in life. This is a snare that is easily
avoidable and this is how you avoid it.
Know what got know what God's word is know what pleases God
and stick with it. That's it.
I know it's not deep. I know it's not a quotable
thing, but it's something that we need to reinforce more and
more. What pleases God?
No, it pursue it and stick with it.
No matter who you disappoint in the process.
This verse came to mind, it's an easy reference.
And it's a life verse among many life versus Isaiah 222.
It's very simple. You don't have to turn there but
Isaiah 222. Makes this simple charge to all
of us. Stop regarding, man.
That's that's nice to put on a coffee cup.
I think. Stop regarding man.
Why whose nostrils is breath? Why for of what account is he?
What is he saying? He's not saying disrespect those
who have been created in the image of God.
No, he's saying stop regarding the threats, the persecutions,
The Persuasions of those who can't survive.
Apart from oxygen. Who can die if they are
smothered for just a few seconds.
Why would you put yourself in the position of being governed
by something or someone like that?
Instead, allow your life to be governed by the one who created
breath? Who created oxygen, who is not
dependent on anything and all of creation to survive and thrive
who is not thwarted in any way, who is not diminished in any
way, who is not pushed in any direction, fear Him.
Live for him, subject yourself to his sovereignty and stop
regarding man. Stop considering what man thinks
concerning what God has made so clear.
And you avoid the snare that David unfortunately is entrapped
by here. The compensation can only go so
far because what David is about to do.
Next is quite interesting. We talked about what We talked
about his commitment to compromise.
We talked about his compensation for compromise, very
short-lived. Look at the complications of
compromise, the complications of compromise, where do you get see
that? The complications are found here
in verse 24, and the King said, let him dwell apart in his own
house. He is not to come into my
presence. So Absalom lived apart in his
own house and did not come into the king's presence.
What's David doing here? Does anybody have an idea?
Listen job, brings him back from Kishore into his home City.
And in David, make sure that Absalom would never have access
to his presence again. Keep him in his own home.
He's essentially ordaining and ordering house arrest.
Why do you think David is doing this?
Okay, so he's trying to maybe sound tough.
Yes. And there's a reason for that.
Yes. Okay, if you season maybe you'll
feel guilty and change his mind. Why do you think David is doing
this? So David knows he's still in
compromise. He's fully aware of the middle
ground that he is playing on. And so what, he's essentially
trying to do by restricting Absalom by putting him in house
arrest, so to speak is maintaining some kind of
righteousness in the midst of his disobedience.
So David here is actually trying to appease two types of people,
two groups concerning this ordeal, those who believe that
Absalom should be free and to move about and go on would
realize that he was brought back to Jerusalem.
So that's pretty good. And job was a part of that camp
while those who believe that Absalom should have punched and
should have received capital punishment.
Would see that's to some degree. There is some kind of discipline
taking place as David restricts his movements.
This is complicated. Because compromises, a very
complex things for those who know the truth and for those who
know, the truth and try to arrange their lives, the way
David does here they can expect that by trying to calm their
conscience. They will do something somewhat
right while at the same time, fully entertaining, what they
know to be wrong. That's an exhausting way of
living. It's a very frustrating way of
living for those who know the truth.
And David is trying to do just that.
And there are people, hopefully not here tonight who try to doll
up their Disobedience by perfuming it with some kind of
form of righteousness. and some of us use, Use that kind of
tactic with so many Avenues in life.
So, you do business in a shady way, but you give to a Ministry.
Let me use the example, again of relationships, where you tell
you, and your other lovely partner.
We're not going to go past this and you, you just calm your
conscience because you never cross that line, but you already
crossed several lines before you got to that one.
You have Ministries that want to maintain some kind of growth,
some kind of life in their Ministry.
So they feed sheep and they also feed the goats.
And they try to do all that they can by avoiding that, which
would offend one or the other, and here's the lesson for you.
And I it's a very important lesson based on David's
foolishness here that policy never works It never works. what
I mean by that is when you try to play on both teams, it will
backfire on you. And it usually backfires from
both sides, by the way. And when David here is trying to
do that, he doesn't realize that he's actually setting himself up
for for great pain and disappointment and whenever you
try to tolerate a sin that symbolize in Absalom that sin
will not sit still for too long. Eventually it will demand more
from you. And so by trying to keep Absalom
quiet and by trying to silence others, who know of the whole
situation, you are setting yourself up for great failure
because the only solution to these issues is found in
Revelation. Depart from Revelation and you
will inherit much chaos and that is precisely what your rights
are prepared to see through absalom's life.
He will not stay in his position for too long eventually.
He is going to do something more which is the nature of our sin
does not stay in one place. When we tolerate it, what is
about to happen. You ready for this?
Look at verse 25. Now, in all Israel, there is no
one so much to be raised for his handsome appearance as Absalom
from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
There was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his
head, for at the end of every year, he used to cut it when it
was heavy on him. He cut it.
He weighed the hair of his head 200 shekels by the Kings, wait.
Can I become the honest, what does that have to do with
anything? So, we have this scene, right?
And it's suspenseful job brings back.
Absalom, Absalom, David wants nothing to do with him and a.
Now we transition into a vignette of who Absalom is.
And we are told about his Beauty and we're told about his hair
and we're told about the weight of his hair.
We're told about how he the barber once a year.
And it's like, how does this reconcile with the narrative?
Well, this is not accidental, nor is it, sloppy authorship.
This is intentional and it's preparing us for what is about
to take place. For whatever reason we are being
told. Of the popularity of Absalom.
And the popularity is tied into what his appearance and that
from head to toe. There is not one defect in the
man. He was gorgeous.
Apparently just the sight of him, sweat people off their
feet. His Beauty was the Talk of the
Nation, right? He was on the cover of the
magazine of that time. Every year supposedly.
Is this information useful? And why is it important to
understanding the whole text? Well, here's how you.
Well, you know, I before I get there, why do you think it's
important? Yeah, we're very drawn to
charismatic. Beautiful talented people on a
superficial level as well. Sure.
Okay, so there's something about Absalom.
Identifying, something about himself that it's vain.
I think there's something there, too.
Yes. Okay.
I know what you're saying, and I
think you're right, but not in ties with David and ties with
somebody else. I'll explain in a moment.
I'll take one more answer and we're going to move on.
Did you have your hand up pika? Yeah, why are you cutting your
hair? Making a public thing about it?
Ah, his approach to people how he presents himself to people.
So, the idea of how he cuts his hair says something about his
character, you're right. the fact that we are being informed
about absalom's beauty, Should cause us to reflect not too far
back of the last time someone's Beauty was mentioned.
When was the last time somebody's Beauty was brought
forth to us. Not Bathsheba.
KT all. Tom odd.
Remember, go to 13:1 and you'll see it.
So it's there. We're told about David's
daughter who was beautiful. Her name was to mod and isn't it
interesting that the same Hebrew word for handsome appearance
concerning Absalom is used for Tamar concerning her beauty.
And so, with that connection, with the the closest possible
context. In mind.
When we were told about Tom ours, Beauty, What followed was
it good or bad? Trouble lies ahead and in the
same way we are being prepared. As we were being told about
absalom's, handsome appearance that there is danger.
Before us, something is going to happen based on the fact that
Absalom was a good-looking guy. Did Israel have a reputation of
electing leaders based on outward appearance.
Yeah. And somebody mentioned the name
of the one King Saul. Who was taller than everybody
else and he was handsome and and that was attractive to the
people. And so they dismissed any other
deficiency and they upheld him and regarded him as their leader
though he was unqualified in many ways.
And so with with the distant context and the close contacts
of mine, what the holy spirit is trying to tell us with all of
this is hey watch out, something's about to happen.
This is not a good thing, you know what would make an
interesting Bible study. Maybe we'll do it.
And a, I don't know when we're going to do it, but I would love
to do it. To go through the entire
scripture from Genesis to Revelation and study.
Every person who we are informed about concerning their beauty,
when he good Bible study, maybe you disagree. and I thought
about it and I thought, okay well we're not going to do a
whole bible study on that tonight but when you think about
those who are referred to for their good, looks a majority, if
not all are exclusively found in the Old Testament, it's not a
new testament emphasis, it's not important in the New Covenant,
or the New Testament, rather Except for reference to Moses,
concerning his appearance as a baby.
So, it's found in the Old Testament.
And what's interesting is in most cases about those who are
beautiful both man or woman, There was trouble connected.
There was trouble one, they were either exploited for their
beauty or two. They either took advantage of
their appearance for selfish gain.
So a major percentage of those who were beautiful physically
speaking were actually in trouble and connection to their
beauty. Think of Sarah, even in her old
age, what happened to her because of her husband Think
about Esther, even right? She was brought into the courts.
I mean, that's not a safe environment to be in.
We think about Tom odd, right? We think about now even Absalom.
And so as we look at this, we have to understand that
absalom's beauty here is a problem and it is because it
will be used to win the allegiance of the nation.
It will persuade the masses to fall into his trap.
And the only difference between Absalom is and Tom odd, is that
Tom odd was undeserving Lee the object of harm because of her
beauty and absalom's case he will utilize his Beauty as a
weapon to Prey Upon weak-minded. People who can't think Beyond
skin and physical features. So absolom, here, concerning the
description of his looks his ready?
To show the trouble that will come with it and Beauty can
blind us and it will blind this nation because they will not
care about the fact that he killed his half-brother, they
want an idol. And in this case, the idol was a
prince, who was so Charming. And almost hypnotic with.
His physical appearance. And the main feature about
absalom's Beauty has to do with his hair and he cut the hair of
his head once a year at the end of the year, he would cut it
because it would get so heavy. We're talking about a few pounds
here. That's how dense and thick this
man's hair was. and for whatever reason, he would cut his hair
and report on it and he would like write down what it weighed
that year. And so he made a spectacle of
it, he made an announcement of it.
Why are you weighing your hair? It's very clear in our sister
already. Brought it up its to Signal the
source of his pride. This man was proud of his looks
he was not only praised for his looks he was very aware of it,
he would use it but he also praised himself for it and
encouraged others to praise him for.
Wow. Your hair weighed this much this
year. That's incredible.
And he was the Envy of both men and women.
And if you doubt that Absalom was doing this because of self
worship. Then look at this one verse and
just a few chapters will discover, look at this verse
that, that shows us and confirms us, what kind of app man.
Absalom was look at chapter 18 of second, Samuel Verse 18.
This is after Absalom was killed in war.
We're told now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up
for himself. The pillar that is in the Kings
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, who sets
up a pillar for himself while they're alive.
Who, who does that? Hua wrecks a memorial while
you're living, it's weird. And it's only indicative of one
thing that you are a self-exalting South worshipping
man. And so there is no doubt that
the fact that he cut his hair and presented it.
I don't know what else he did with it.
I cut my hair and I'm relieved and I don't think about it for
one second. This man made a shrine out of
his hair and not just out of his hair.
He made a shrine for himself, he wanted to be remembered even
after his death. So here's what's happening with
verse 25. And verse 26.
The Holy Spirit brings us to our attention from striking looks
and his Luscious Hair as a preface of an upcoming
Rebellion. And ultimately his downfall.
We are being prepared for Absalom.
Usurping, the authority of his father by seducing, the nation,
and his ultimate downfall because you can't have pride in
survive. In God's economy.
And in God's Universe, there is a law and it is as strong and as
the law of gravity, if you're proud, God will be against you.
And at one point, he will find a way to bring you down.
And this man. Is headed in that direction
because we are not going to see any sign of repentance anytime
soon. Or later.
Look what happens in verse 28. Let's read verse 27.
There were born to Absalom three sons and one daughter whose name
was Thomas. She was a beautiful woman.
That's just another sad thing to see because we read in 2nd
Samuel 18, verse 18. One that he apparently had no
son to keep his name in remembrance, but we're told
early on that. He had three, they must have
died in infancy. They must have died at a very
young age. Hema more oil memorialized.
His sister to mod by naming one of his daughters by her.
And it's I think the holy spirit's wave kind of giving us
some closure concerning her. Right.
That her brother showed some kind of respect her.
Do her other brother violated her And then verse 28, we read
so Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem without coming into
the king's presence. Two full years.
His patience word out, right? He's not doing this anymore.
So in verse 29, that Absalom sent for joab to send him to the
king. But job would not come to him,
and he sent a second time, but job would not come.
So, after two full years Absalom said enough is enough, I'm not
living this way. I'm going to make a move to try
to get before my father. Now, that seems like a noble
desire, but it's questionable because we know this man's
character If you feel like this is a small move on a chessboard
of a grander scheme, you're right.
This is not about Absalom wanting to restore his
relationship with his dad. This is Absalom wanting to
recover his Public Image. And what he's going to need for
the public image for his persuasion plan, is the approval
of his father, and he's not getting it.
His father made no moves in two years.
We learned already. That Absalom was a very patient,
man. He was willing to wait two years
to kill. His brother is willing to wait,
two years to see something happen with his father.
No sign of Hope. And so he's going to initiate
something and so he picks up the phone.
He calls joab voice picks up. The phone again calls, joab
voicemail again after 22 times sending the servants.
He realized this man is deliberately ignoring me.
He wants nothing to do with me. I read that today and I thought
to myself, I joab. Why after going to Such Great
Lengths, to convince the king, to bring your son back to
Jerusalem, would you not continue the process and bring
David and Absalom back together without tension without
separation? Why do you think job is not
answering the phone? Yeah, this is a very tricky
situation. It's clear that David doesn't
want to even entertain the thought of apps on becoming the
heir to the throne. I just, I did, what?
I could up to this point. I don't want to get involved
with it. That could be true.
Yes. Yeah, maybe this was enough to
satisfy David struggle. He's in close proximity.
That's enough. I've done my job.
There's no need to to try to advance or make this more
heartfelt than it needs to be. Perhaps we're not told why job
is not answering the phone, but one thing I do know about his
neglect is that he was not really concerned about true
reconciliation, between David and his son.
He was he was not about actually there being some kind of
restorative work, he could care less and it could be that what
he really had in mind. I mean we can speculate right?
But it could be that what job was doing was a military
strategy more than anything else that he was concerned of
absalom's distance and not being aware of his movements and so he
fulfills that ancient adage right.
Keep your friends close but who closer Your enemies closer.
Let's just bring them close enough so that we can supervise
him, but we don't need to make this whole thing about
reconciliation and having each other over again, just, let's
just have him near so that we can watch him and make sure they
didn't cause any trouble that could be very true as well.
But you know what? I find kind of funny that job
after trying to convince David to bring Absalom back.
Ends up being annoyed. But it is very same person that
he attempted to Bring back. And it goes to show that
man-made philosophy in human wisdom and cleverness, never
brings about true. Resolution it only agitates
things and only frustrates things and only brings more pain
than anything else and Bob's going to learn that lesson in
the more Grievous way in a second here.
So this was all jobs idea. Now, joab is paying the price
for his idea because he's being harassed by Absalom.
And so we already seeing early signs that this was not a good
idea. If you had just stuck with God's
word, you would have nipped this thing, but now it's taking on
its own life. Now it's germinating and it's
spreading and it's about to get out of control.
And look what happens. Next, this is what happens when
you don't answer your phone. And absalom's, life and Absalom
is worldview and verse 30. Then he said to his servants,
ejobs feel this next to mine, and he has barley there, go and
set it on fire. What how can we make that
equivalent and relevant today? Okay, you didn't answer my
phone. Pastor, Daniel, it's been it's
been two days. I'm gonna have somebody break
into your car. That will get your attention and
leave a note. Answer my phone calls.
That's essentially what's happening.
He sets the Mansfield on fire. And that gets his attention job
all for something appears, right?
All of a sudden he's there. He makes his way to absalom's
home and he asked the question. Then job arose and went to
Absalom at his house and set them.
Why have your servants set? My field on fire.
It goes to show what kind of man?
Absalom was it just gives us another hint of how he deals
with issues and how he gets what he wants.
He's spoiled He's not patient, he's Easily Aggravated and when
he doesn't get his way, he will do whatever he needs to do to
get his way. And it worked at least in a
carnal way job comes and he asked what he wants and as
Despicable as these actions are they do testify something about
human nature, does it? Not and I'm not talking about
how like Absalom people become insensitive when there's
Squeezed. And when they don't have what
they really, really want not talking about that.
I'm actually talking about joab. Saying, what do you mean?
It was Spurgeon, of course. Who made the masterful
observation concerning joab. That when God tries to get our
attention and we don't answer him, he often sends fires to get
our attention. And so he takes this example and
he applies it to our relationship with God.
And one might say well how can you apply this to God?
What Absalom did was wrong, it was evil.
It's arson. Well the only reason why what
Absalom did was wrong was because he burned someone else's
property. The differences with God, he
owns everything. Everything you have.
Belongs to God, whether you admit it or not, it's his, he
gives and he takes away. And with that truth, we say
blessed be the name of the Lord. And so when God does send things
that make us uncomfortable or that seems unfair that seems
Counterintuitive to our desires. Who's Lord here.
He's Lord. And I thought it was a brilliant
observation to say, yes, it is true that you and I are capable
of deviating from God. Walking away from God, ignoring
God. And when he makes appeals to us
over and over again through his grace, through his Messengers
through nudges, and we still keep our back toward him, he
will send some trials, he will afflict us.
He will allow the alarms to go off in life so that you can come
where you are supposed to remain in that is before him.
And job, exemplifies that. You know, the scripture warns us
just in case you think that this is reading too much into this
story. The scripture warns us in many
ways of how when you and I choose to be headstrong, God has
in his arsenal of wisdom. Very interesting means to make
us seek him again. Joab stubbornness here, though.
We can justify it is not justified in our walk with the
Lord. When we neglect his presence,
when we neglect his duty, if you really belong to him, he will
discipline you for the sole purpose of bringing, you back to
him and then you again, walking in his plan and purpose as a
priority. If you are a sinner who is not a
child of God, do you know what one of the evidences is that you
do not belong. NG to him, you will continue to
sin and God will leave you alone.
You'll continue to ignore him and go weeks and months without
spending time with him without being in the house of God.
And one of the signs that you are an illegitimate child.
Is that you will prosper. And that you will go on without
any divine intervention for the sole purpose of bringing back to
his Chambers. And if you want proof of that,
here's one of the strongest examples.
In Psalm 32 The verse 9. Here's the instruction from
David funny enough in the context of confessing his sin.
And people believe, Psalm 32 is the psalm that David wrote,
before, he confessed his sin after Nathan confronted him.
Psalm 51 is attributed to David's confession, people
believe. Psalm 32 is attributed to that
period where he was concealing, his sin and refused to come
before God. And look what we read here, in
verse 9, be not like a horse or a mule without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay
near you. He alludes to to Stubborn
animals horses or mules that tend to go off in their own way.
That tend to not stay in place but become independent very
easily and wander off. And he's saying, please don't be
like that. Don't be stubborn like that
because those kind of animals require instruments to Anchor
them and to keep them and to bring them where the owner would
want them to be. Or else they won't stay near
you. And unfortunately this this
verse describes a category of the children of God not all
children of God but he category of the children of God.
We're the only way they can actually stay near God is when
they are enduring a tragedy. The only way their prayer life
survives is if there are problems.
The only way they become serious about serving the lord is when
they come into contact with the fickleness of life and the
brevity of their existence. And they come, they come into
contact with something that shakes them and terrifies them
and hurts them. Even that is the only time where
they're serious about their spirituality.
And here's what we can this that's this is an inside but
there's also an application because she's saying don't be
like that, you know what? That tells me that every single
one of us here have the ability to reduce certain trials.
And sufferings, By doing one simple thing.
You ready for this staying near God when all is well.
What? This verse tells me is that
there are prescribed problems ordained and signed off in
heaven. That I can avoid if I spleen
know how to walk with Jesus when all is well.
Not only when all is hell. but when all is well, and if you are
a person that only knows how to hit their knees, Because you
know that something is happening or something is about to happen
and it's not in your favor. Then expect a lifetime of
bridles and bits being placed upon you by loving God.
In order to keep you near him. I don't want that, I don't
object to God's Sovereign ways in my life.
But if there is a way in which I can avoid unnecessary discipline
than Lord, teach me to love you and to serve you and to know you
and to pursue you even when nothing is going wrong.
See what God wants from us is more than just an emergency kind
of relationship. He wants more than that.
Now, many people have reduced their walk with the Lord to that
that that's not going to fly with God if you really belong to
him. If you're truly a child of God,
he will know how to implement the exact thing you need to make
you crawl back to him if need be And so enjoyed.
In an indirect way is an example of job.
I need you job. You haven't spent time with me
job. It's been a while since you've
come to the house of God job, you haven't served me with your
gifts yet. You want to make more money than
you want to make more disciples as all right.
Here's a fire. Oh God, I'm here.
Now, I'm a I worship you. Almighty God, there is none like
you can you extinguish this for me and he graciously does then a
few months go by and there you are again.
Alright, let's set another field on fire.
Oh Lord, I'm here again. Brothers, sisters, can you fast
and pray for me? Okay, let's do this.
What a, what a way to walk with Jesus.
That's not what God wants us. Not God's plan for you.
That doesn't mean we can't call upon him when times are tough.
But the call upon them only when times are tough.
Is not why the Holy Spirit lives in you.
And so joab. Here's amount of verse 31.
Then job arose and went to Absalom at his house and set
them. Why have you have your servants
set? My field on fire, Absalom,
answer, job behold. I send word to you.
Come here that I may send you to the king to ask.
Why have I come from Kishore? It would be better for me to be
there still. Now therefore, let me go into
the presence of the king and if there is guilt in me, let him
put me to death. Finally, drop comes into the
presence of Absalom. Here's the request plain and
simple. I want the presence of the king.
And again, this comes off as a noble desire, but we have every
right to question his motive and what's more disturbing?
Than his desire to be in the king's presence is absalom's
personal and self-assessment of his status before the king
before the law before. God, did you catch it?
Look at the wording. What does he say?
At the last part of verse 32 and if there is guilt in me, If
there is guilt. Hey, Absalom news, flash, there
is guilt in you. There's no ifs here.
There's no debate. Your murder cold-blooded.
How do you have the gall to even make that a matter of debate?
If there is any guilt in me you're guilty and everyone knows
it. And what this shows is that
Absalom really believe that he was justified in murdering his
half-brother like he actually was comforted by fulfilling his
murderous and vicious desires. And that kind of self-deception
and self-righteousness might work with a man, like King
David, but it will not work with the King of Kings.
It won't. Unlike absolem in order for us
to be recovered. Into the presence of God and to
no reconciliation with God. We must be honest.
About what it is. That separates us from God?
God requires honesty. And people, usually quote verses
but they chop up those versus not realizing the full
implication of what those verses, especially promises
entail. So here's one, he is faithful
and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness, right? Hey man, we love that.
I love that. That should make us sing but you
forgot the first part. What was the first part?
If we confess, if we confess our sins, he is faithful.
And just to forgive us, our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. There's a there's a contingency
here. God's faithfulness to forgive us
and to cleanse us depends upon our willingness to confess our
sins. No confession.
No forgiveness. No confession, no
reconciliation. He waits Upon Our confession and
confession requires honesty. Honesty.
God, this is what I am. This is what I've done.
Will you forgive me? See when we blame others.
For our own sins. We nullify the potential grace
of God being poured out on us. Why?
Because God wants to forgive you.
And if you don't confess what you have done, but projected on
others, God is willing to forgive them if they confess,
but he won't forgive you. So, you must be honest before
God. And this is what Absalom lacked,
obviously. And he wasn't just dishonest
about his sin. He was dishonest about his honor
to the king. Look, what happens verse 33,
then job went to the king and told him and he summoned
Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed
himself on his face to the ground before the king and the
King kissed Absalom. What a showman, he bowed himself
to the king and he shows honor to the king.
You know, what's happening in his heart, bitterness against
the very same men that he's bowing before.
In the very last chapter, he's going to conspire against his
father and attempt to kill him and all his other potential
threats. Bitterness in his heart
justification for his sin and he has the audacity to come and
bring homage to him. And David couldn't see past.
It David fell for it. But again, God sees what man
cannot see and before the Lord looks at our hands.
Our lips, our movements, our tears.
He looks at our hearts and he evaluates everything based on
the hidden most parts of Who We Are.
Case though, it worked for King David, it would not work with
King Jesus and it's not difficult to contrast this
example before us. Of a son seeking restoration
with his father, seeking restoration with his status with
a new testament. Favorite of many, The Prodigal
Son. The Prodigal Son.
Different in its own way. But similar, one of the
similarities is in this real story and in that people you
have a kiss from a father for his son.
David kisses Absalom in the parable of the prodigal son.
You have the father who leaps on the neck of his son and kisses
him. Here's the difference.
One is legitimate. The other is illegitimate.
One is true restoration. The other is empty.
And instead of ending this Bible study, looking at how we can
fail to receive Restoration in our relationship with God.
Let's look at how we can. So, let's end this Bible study
in, Luke chapter 15. And I want you to see something
that I hope will bless you, will bless the believer bless the
non-believer. In Luke chapter 15.
Let's go to verse 17. I wish we can read the whole
thing but we won't be able to Luke 15 verse 17, the sun
already asked for his inheritance.
He went to spoil all that he had received from his father.
A drought comes, he loses everything and he's now at the
level of pigs. and something happens to this young man in
verse 17, but when he came to himself, when he came to
himself, he said, how many of my father's hired servants have
more than enough bread but I perish here with my Hunger.
You won't even begin to realize your need for God Until you
realize how destitute you are right now.
And that is why when we present the truth, We don't just tell
people about a loving God, right?
Because how they interpret that is, well, that's great.
I think I have room for this loving God.
No, you have to remind them of their filth.
And that they are not children of God that needs to make more
time for Daddy. They are Rebels.
They're under the wrath of God. They will be judged for
eternity, and there is only one savior who can rescue them from
such a place and such a future in such a faith.
This man realize his destitute condition but look what he says.
In verse 18, I will arise and go to my father and I will say to
him. Father, I have sinned against
heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your
son treat me as one of your hired servants.
What is beautiful about that confession?
Humility is displayed in. What ways, humility displayed in
this confession. Yeah, don't treat me the way.
Don't treat me as a son. I'm not even with abuse and
that's one. But the point that I'm trying to
make is the omission of something in this confession,
what is omitted in his confession?
Yeah, heaven. And you that's great.
Yeah. But what is missing in this that
is usually present in our confessions Excuses excuses.
The Bots and the IFS. Laura, father, I have sinned
against you, but look, I mean, young, man, my hormones, get out
of control. Sometimes, I just didn't see how
this would all, and I didn't realize it disrespect.
I was showing you, you know, just boys will be boys, right?
Father, you get it is right. You were a boy wants, none of
that stuff. None of that stuff.
It was partially his fault. She has a part of the planet.
Nothing. I have sinned.
Plain and simple. I'm wrong.
I'm guilty. That is what moves the heart of
God, that kind of humility, that kind of honesty and that is
required. Just like in absalom's case,
right? He was missing that honesty.
And what what is needed to even know.
The first steps of reconciliation with God is just
that that transparency, that humility that has not tried to
even justify one part of Who You Are.
But just comes as you are but look at the second thing where
did the sun say he would go when he realized where he was when he
was awakened to the disaster of a life that he was in?
I will go where I will arise Verse 18 and go where to my
room, to my warm bed to my job. To my links, to my friends.
I will go where To my father. True Confession.
True. Repentance prioritises, the
relationship that you want with God.
That's true repentance. When people repent and say you
know I want to come back to my family.
That's a fringe thing. I want to come back to my
Christian Community, that's a French thing.
I want to come back to church, that's a French thing.
The first thing that you should be concerned about in your sin
and when you want to turn from your sin is I won't God.
I want him again. I want to walk with him again.
I want to know him again. I want his favor to shine upon
me again. I want to know that I'm pleasing
him again. That is very much Miss and
people's confession and repentance.
I've seen it, I've heard it with my own eyes, my own ears
throughout the years. You see people remorseful when
they are in the wrong and what do they tend to emphasize?
I hurt my wife, I hurt my kids. I lost my job.
I hurt my pastor. I hurt my fellowship.
That's fine. But you know, who's missing it?
All of that God, and it tends to always be the case.
I very little hurt. When people come with
confession, I've broken God's heart in this.
And that is the complete opposite of what David shows in
Psalm 51 against you. And you only have, I sinned So
there's a worldly sorrow, right? There's a worldly sorrow that
looks at the Earthly and horizontal consequences of are
wrong and there's a Godly sorrow.
And one of the signs of Godly sorrow is that, you know, you've
offended God and you want to be restored to God. and here we see
the product listing, I will go to my father I will go to my
father. and lastly, we see something that is important that
it's maybe overlooked the sun actually got up and went look at
verse 20, and he arose and came to his father, he rose and came
to his father. Some people up at honesty?
And self-awareness. Many people who are backslidden
and many people who are sinners. They know they're in sin, they
know that they're in the wrong, they know that they're not in
the will of God, they know it. They tell themselves that they
come to a meeting like this. And after the service you talk
to him and say, are you doing, I'm not doing the best.
I've not in the will of God, and they know that and they'll
confess that But God doesn't want you to stop there and
that's not what get it. That's not what's going to bring
reconciliation to you. You have to actually make the
move and say, okay. Now I'm going to actually turn
from this thing that I'm wallowing in and make my way
before the presence of God. Right?
And so you can think about how you're wrong, you can rehearse
how you're in Disobedience, you can stay up all night, all you
want. But the thing that will change
is when you say okay enough is enough.
Now I got to actually come to him.
And speak to him and open my heart before him and spill
everything out and trust that he will accept me and he will
accept you. It's not enough to know that you
are in the wrong, it's time to repent.
And the way we know that he repents has as our brother said,
he he tells himself when I come to him I'm going to say I'm
worthy to be called your son treat me as one of your
servants. You know how I translate that?
As I come to you do with me as you please.
Whatever you see fit for me. I will accept.
And you fashion me and you ordained for me, whatever you
desire, because I tried doing it my way, I tried orchestrating my
life according to my wisdom and my pleasures, and I failed, I
come to you now. And the other translations, this
transition, the ESV says, treat me.
Other translations say, make me Make me make me.
Make me following humble honest. Confession is genuine sincere
repentance. And what repentance looks like
is It's your way. Not mine.
You tell me what to do. You tell me where to go?
I'm no longer walking the way I want to walk.
You are now The Sovereign Lord Of My Life.
Grace, you Empower me to live and love you.
That's True, Confession. And what do you have?
You have a father who showed his love?
Embrace him didn't even let me finish his old presentation
because the father knew his actions, the actions spoke
louder than the words. He was not waiting for this
elaborate speech. The fact that he came dragging
his feet Was enough for the other to see past everything
that he could have said he say you want to come back, don't
you? And here's where we can end
tonight that if there's anybody in this place, who desires, true
reconciliation with the anointed one.
The one that David points to the son of David, the Messiah, the
resurrected King who Reigns on high tonight.
Here's what I call you to do. Be honest about your sin, in
your condition, don't try to decorate.
It don't try to lighten. The severity of it.
Just come honest before, God, and as you come on us before
God, Also come. To God is the object of your
desire. And from there be willing and
confess your willingness for God to faction you and make you and
do with you as he pleases. And you will know a legitimate
comforting reassuring Embrace from God.
That was Secure you and overwhelm you with his Mercy, in
a way that will motivate you to live holy unlike anything else.
David gives This Kiss of approval to Absalom.
And it will really be the kiss of death.
Because that's all Absalom needed.
To continue with his agenda, to persuade, a nation to come
against his father. Aren't you glad?
That is great of a man. David was our God is greater
People wonder what is the point of 1st, Samuel, second, Samuel
Kings Kings, awesome story practice, but every time you and
I face a king, no matter how great or treacherous they were,
it's to remind us. Every King will fail.
You, every leader will let you down.
No matter how powerful, no matter how impressive, no matter
how beautiful, no matter how wise, no matter how strategic,
no matter how prosperous, no matter how administrative they
are, they will fall. A short and it's supposed to
cause in you and ache to say, is there not a perfect King?
Is there not a true king? That will be lasting in his
righteousness consistent with his character, promising with
his provision and example that I can follow someone that I can
worship. I remember being on a flight in
my early years of walking with the Lord and had a friend beside
me. We were coming from a
conference, all those were the days, man.
If you're a young in here, can I just give you some advice if
you're young in here and you have not yet entered into the
chapter of life where you have more responsibilities than as a
single person does? Or student does not.
Like, I'm not negating. The fact you have
responsibilities. Can I tell you something?
Take advantage of that season of life.
Grab a handful of brothers or sisters.
Just go hard after God. Like, just go to go to those
conferences, get in the car and drive to another state for the
sole purpose of worshipping, God, and being with God's
people, serve with everything within you, just go for it.
I praise God for those times. Anyways, menacing We're flying
back from a conference on good old Spirit Airlines.
And as we're flying back into Canada, I looked over to my
friend and he had tears in his eyes and he had his Bible open
before him with whatever tray was there.
So what's wrong? Because I'm reading first and
second Kings said, okay because just failure after failure.
Disappointment after disappointment. one botched
leader, following the next We look at each other we said,
well, isn't that the point? We serve one who will never fail
us. Whose constant who is the same?
Who will rule and reign in righteousness?
Who will order his steps and determine his Direction in such
a manner? That no one can point and find
fault in him. That is the king that we serve.
And as you hear this Bible study, as we prepare to even go
into First Kings and second Kings in a few weeks and months,
let that be the banner of that Bible study.
There is one true king who is alive and well and will return
very soon. And when he comes he will say,
ah, here he is the one that we've been waiting for.
Well, we do love you and we thank you.
We worship you tonight with so much that has been said, We do
not pray now. With absent-mindedness, we are
fully aware of every word that was uttered.
Every Insight that was shared. Lord.
We look at you as the true and living King and we are happy
blessed to know. That you are, unlike any other
Lord. If there's anyone here who has
made a commitment to compromise. If there's anyone here who is
entertaining that commitment due to small and meaningless
compensation. But if there's anyone who is
now, experiencing the complications of compromise,
may, they know. Now, may they know at this very
instant that they can change, the course can be altered.
And look, there's anyone here who knows that they are in the
wrong but they don't know how to make the way back to you.
O, Lord, May The Prodigal Son. Be our model it made me realize
that all you require is honesty. And all you ask is for us to
make you the object of our desire.
And all you look for is for us to say, make me as you would
make me, treat me as you would treat me.
And Lord made that same person be comforted to realize that the
experience of that prodigal son, is our inheritance as well in
the gospel that you will Embrace us.
You will clothe us and you will see Celebrate our repentance.
Well, we do worship you tonight. We thank you for what you have
said to us. Now we say back to you how much
we love you and song. More importantly in The Way We
Live Help Us by your grace in Jesus name.
Amen. Let's stand together and
closing.