May 31, 2010

5-31-10 Monday, Memorial Day, 7:37 am Grayrock, 73 degrees, hazy.

II Sam 17 David continues to flee from Absalom. Two men give Absalom advice – Ahithophel and Hushai. David has sent Hushai to counter the advice Ahithophel would give. Absalom rejects the more strategic advice of Ahithophel, which is a surprise attack that very night on David. Perhaps Absalom’s fear of defeat set him back from this aggressive, better plan. He adopted Hushai’s advice, which was to amass a huge force, and go after David with “shock and awe”. Hushai then sent spies to warn David. Ahithophel went and set his house in order, then hanged himself.

There is so much to learn from this chapter. One observation I have is that God protected David, and used the shrewdness of spies, and the large reputation of David’s fighting ability to slow down Absalom. Absalom also seems to be too cautious, lacking courage as he faces risk. There are lessons for the church in these two leaders. 1. Wise and effective pastors multiply their impact as the fruitfulness of God’s hand is evident over a long period of time. 2. Church leaders need to have courage to act in a timely fashion, and not sit around waiting for larger numbers or a safer season.