~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
2 Samuel 18:1-19:10 ~ John 20:1-31
Psalm 119:153-176 ~ Proverbs 16:14-15
Old Testament - Wow. Intense readings today. As could be expected from Absalom's pursuit of his ego and pride the past few chapters, his sin catches up with him. Zondervan's commentary today had the interesting point that Absalom's "pretty head & long hair" (as you'll recall from 2 Samuel 14:25-26) ironically ended up being his undoing as his long hair got caught up in a tree. This seems very symbolic of how pride and ego can be it's own undoing. This image I think it sums up well where unchecked pride and ego can ultimately lead...
Well, Absalom did incorporate some long term ingenuity in his pride & ego - like the Egyptian Pharaoh's of old, Absalom decided to make sure he built a monument to himself! as we read about in verse 18 today: "During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King's Valley, for he had said, "I have no son to carry on my name." He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom's Monument to this day." Below is an image of Absalom's Monument (Pillar) -
While on one hand I do appreciate David's grace and love for his son Absalom, I have to say that I really do appreciate Joab's boldness & wisdom in rebuking David in verses 5 through 8: "We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed, as though we had done something wrong. You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that we mean nothing to you. If Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. Now go out there and congratulate the troops, for I swear by the LORD that if you don't, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than you have ever been." That is quite a speech by Joab to David! And I believe he was right. David's love for his son was admirable in one sense - but it also could be seen as selfish in another sense. David seemed to care more for his son than for the nation of Israel, and Joab called him out on this. It is interesting how sometimes our love for one person can cloud everything else going on in our lives. Love for one person is a beautiful thing. But it seems that we should also be cognizant of others around us too - and love them. And sometimes, like David, we may need to realize that there is a greater good - a greater love - than the singular love we have been focusing on. This is not easy to discern of course... hopefully this makes some sort of sense or doesn't sound too harsh? Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of David mourning for his son Absalom with Joab in the background giving his speech in the verses above:
Bible.org's commentary on today's Second Samuel readings titled "The Darkest Days of David's Life" is at this link.
New Testament - Today we read about Jesus' glorious resurrection! Verse 18 is awesome - "Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, "I have seen the Lord!""
Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion gives a great list today of the order of Jesus' 11 appearances after his resurrection:
1. Mary Magdalene and the other women
2. the disciples on the road to Emmaus
3. Peter
4. the ten disciples in the upper room
5. the eleven in the upper room with Thomas present (Below is an oil painting by Carravaggio from the year 1601 titled "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas")
6. the disciples at the Sea of Tiberius
7. the eleven on a mountain in Galilee
8. five hundred of the brethren
9. James
10. all of the apostles
11. those present when he ascended into heaven
Bible.org's commentary on today's John readings titled "The Burial and Resurrection" is at this link and "On Seeing and Believing" is at this link.
Psalms - We finish Psalm 119 today... :( I am sad. I loved reading through this Psalm again! For some reason it meant so much to me these past few days. I pray this Psalm has been good for you as well this go round. I think the last 3 verses of this Psalm are worth us camping out on here for a moment. In verses 174, 175 & 176 the author of Psalm 119 closes out the Psalm with what I think is a prayer and a confession all in one - "O LORD, I have longed for your salvation, and your law is my delight. Let me live so I can praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands." Wow... not a bad prayer and confession, eh? Is God's Word your delight? Do you wish to live so you can praise God? Does His Word sustain you?
Proverbs - Proverbs 16:15 today is nice: "When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a gentle rain." What else in our life today refreshes like a gentle rain? When a baby smiles at you? When you smile at someone else? When someone else smiles at you when you're having a rough day? Let us be like gentle rain for each other!
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What is your reaction to David's grief over his son Absalom today? Why do you think he grieved so much? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
June 1, 2008
Although I like the way John describes the two angels asking Mary Magdalene why she is crying and then turning she sees Jesus standing there, I still like Luke’s description of the angel asking her, “Why do you seek the living among the dead. Jesus is not here, He has risen.” Luke’s description says it all; Jesus died, has risen from the dead and is again living.
The description of Thomas doubting that the Lord had appeared to the other ten has always provided me with a level of comfort. Not that he doubted, but at what Jesus told him when He appeared to Thomas, John 20:29 “Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (NIV). Jesus gives all who believe without seeing a blessing. What a comfort knowing that we have received a blessing by believing that Jesus rose from the dead and is sitting at the right hand of God without seeing physical proof. I know of one other place in the New Testament where Jesus gives us a blessing, Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (NIV). How wonderful it is to hear Jesus give us a blessing!
Yours in Christ
Skip
Posted by: Skip | June 01, 2008 at 04:36 AM
My initial reaction to David's grieving was similar to yours, Mike. But then I thought: David is an archetype for Jesus... a precursor and a sign pointing to what was to come through his lineage. I therefore think of David's grieving as being more akin to Jesus' weeping for Jerusalem (Matt 23:37; Luke 13:34) and the parable of the lost sheep (Matt 18:12; Luke 15:4). Yeah, the rest of his folks may be confused at his reaction, but he specifically says, he (David) would rather have died for Absalom, with the implication that, had he done so, Absalom would not have been lost to eternal damnation. The rest of David's flock were going to be fine. He was grieved that he could not save all of them. Only Jesus can do that.
Posted by: Art | June 01, 2008 at 07:07 AM