2 Samuel 14 (Part 2) Bible Study | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

Let's come to second Samuel. Chapter 14.

2 Samuel 14 · chapter mention

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,

Leviticus 5 · chapter mention

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 5 · chapter mention

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

Leviticus 5:4

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.

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

Luke 15 · chapter mention

that I hope will bless you, will bless the believer bless the

non-believer. In Luke chapter 15.

Luke 15 · chapter mention

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

Luke 15:17

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.