Day 149 of 365
RETRIBUTION AND GRACE
The deaths of Saul, Abner and Ish-Bosheth removed major obstacles from David's path to be king over Israel. David secured power in both the northern and southern territories as a result of Rimmon's two merciless sons, Baanah and Rekab. After murdering Ish-Bosheth, these men expected a reward because they believed themselves to be agents acting on David's behalf and the Lord. But they misread the situation, revealing that they did not know David's values as king and were mistaken concerning the judgment and purposes of God. Ultimately, David understood that men like Baanah and Rekab could not grasp that the Lord redeems life and brings judgment on the wrongdoer.
Another example of this is found in Luke 9:51 - 56. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and opted to go through Samaria, where he did not receive a warm reception. The disciples were incensed, particularly James and John, so they asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans. Jesus rebuked the disciples, whose understanding of retribution was mistaken. Jesus, like David, embraced even bitter rivals in love and forgiveness - an embrace that he continues to offer to this day to those who deserve nothing other than retribution.
Jesus, you are so gracious to welcome everyone with open arms. Help me to graciously embrace everyone I meet with your love. Amen.
2 Samuel 4:5-12 NASB
5 So the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, departed and came to the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day while he was taking his midday rest. 6 They came to the middle of the house as if to get wheat, and they struck him in the belly; and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 7 Now when they came into the house, as he was lying on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and killed him and beheaded him. And they took his head and traveled by way of the Arabah all night. 8 Then they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, "Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; thus the L ord has given my lord the king vengeance this day on Saul and his descendants."
9 David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, "As the L ord lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, 10 when one told me, saying, 'Behold, Saul is dead,' and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. 11 How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood from your hand and destroy you from the earth?" 12 Then David commanded the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hung them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment