Saturday, April 26, 2014

2014 April 26 - Morning Manna

So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face. But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight. And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance. So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face. Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come. Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire? And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me. So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
(2 Samuel 14:23-33)
 
Today's Morsel:   Absalom is an example of what can happen when a father or mentor is missing in a young man's life at the earliest stages.  More than anything, it seems that Absalom wanted to be around his father, as most boys do.  Maybe Absalom felt that if he could be with his father, he could learn the art of war (as the kings in those days were warriors) which would prepare him for the kingdom after his father, King David's, death.  But Absalom went about trying to obtain the kingdom the wrong way.  He killed his brother Amnon, set the barley field of Joab on fire, tried to win the people's heart to himself by betraying his father, and he began to demand things from his father and others.  Absalom failed to realize that the kingdom is established by righteousness.  In so many ways, he became a spoiled brat and his brutish attitude caused his death.  We all must be careful not to obtain an Absalom spirit within us.  Absalom failed to heed the first commandment with a promise.  "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (Ephesians 6:1-3).  "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men" (Proverbs 18:16).
 
Sing: Heavenly Father, I appreciate You;  Heavenly Father, I appreciate You; I love you, adore You, I bow down before You, Heavenly Father, I appreciate You.

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