From time-to-time God will test us. Absalom’s bad feelings against David increased. Eventually this led to a test. David still paid little attention to Absalom, though he had pardoned him. Actually, David had finally allowed Absalom to see his face. He had kissed Absalom, then left him to figure things out on his own. The wall between this father and son relationship now seemed thicker than ever. Absalom is feeling more and more rebellious. God is about to put him to a test.
If you are curious as to why God wants to put any of us to a test, the following article might help: https://www.gotquestions.org/why-does-God-test-us.html.
Both Absalom and David are about to face the greatest test they have ever known. Before we reach that place, we want to study where their hearts and minds are as these tests are taking place.
Martin Luther King Jr. once noted, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Absalom had been given the challenge of standing or falling. His father was letting him decide to be his own man. Would that include love and respect for David, or would that carry Absalom down a dark, bitter and deceitful path?
GOD GIVES US TESTS
When someone decides to become a follower of Yeshua, God The Father is going to test them. This desire to test us is not meant to be harsh or mean. It happens because God knows tests are a great way to teach a person how to stand in righteousness with resilience and perseverance. The wise man will learn to look at these “tests” as perfect preparations for a more abundant and frutiful life.
David actually sought out this testing from God. We hear him pray this prayer in Psalm 26:2, Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
Differing from David, Absalom was not the type to invite testing. He seemed to think he was entitled. However, God treats all men the same. He gave Absalom every chance to pass these tests anyway. We all get our opportunity. In the end, it is our own choices that matter.
A TEST ABOUT WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT
Verbal and written instructions are wonderful but they do not work for everyone. You can hear a great story and remember some of the details, but if you actually live through the experience of that same story, you will vividly remember every part of it. Our testing from God usually involves hard life experiences. These experiences help us to remember what is most important.
As we continue to study the life of Absalom, we need to examine the ways he responded to the tests and trials God planned and presented in his life. Perhaps his story will help to teach us how to respond when we are given our own test and trials.
OVERCOMERS PASS A TEST
As Absalom faces some challenges with his true identity, I’m reminded of the strong character David exhibited on that day when he could have taken Saul’s life. David could have let Saul’s terrible treatment of him turn to bitterness. Yet, David refused to harm God’s anointed.
If only David’s son named Absalom had followed in his father’s footsteps. The more we know of the two of them the more we realize how much their personalities contrast.
It is a pity that Absalom did not inherit more of David’s good traits. Though David did many things wrong, his humility, prayerfulness, and repentance when he failed to be obedient were a constant example to all who knew him.
TEST – IF YOU HAVE SEEN ME
In the same vein, it is sad how we have often ignored or denied the good attributes of God The Father in our own lives. Mature followers of Yeshua have learned a secret though. This secret has served them well. Yeshua’s followers know whenever there is a question as to what is right or wrong, all they have to do it imitate Jesus. His ways should always be our ways.
Remember what He said to us? “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” Any time we are in doubt as to what to do next in life, we simply need to look at the patterns Yeshua laid out for us. Following his footsteps will never take us to the wrong place. Yeshua is simply following the way of His Father.
Absalom could have followed his father too. He could have followed David’s example of repenting when he had done wrong. Absalom could have allowed forgiveness into his heart instead of letting the bitterness toward David fester and grow. Communicating more with his father might have healed the wall Absalom built between his heart and David’s heart. Absalom could have turned. However, he chose not to do so.
FIRST TEST – WHO WILL DECIDE TO OVERCOME?
David faced and passed through the tests of so much adversity in his life. He passed every test and trial God set before him, except for one. Even when David sinned with Bathsheba which led to the murder of Uriah, he finally sincerely repented and turned. David did not display rebelliousness, even when God took his son because of his sins. He humbly took the blame for what he had done wrong. David simply learned from his mistakes and kept the faith. King David was an overcomer.
Life had given Absalom every opportunity to become an overcomer too. Instead of learning how to overcome, he chose to become bitter and hateful. He desired to take revenge.
When we look closer, we see Absalom’s true colors. Instead of forgiving and loving his Father, Absalom chose to become his father’s adversary. Moreover, instead of loyalty, he chose to take the way of rebellion.
SECOND TEST – REBELLION IS WITCHCRAFT
One of King Saul’s sins was witchcraft. We see Absalom following the same path. At first glance, it isn’t obvious, but that is how deception usually works. The bible tells us in 1 Samuel 15:23 that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” The prophet of God is talking to King Saul in this passage. Absalom was taking the same pathways as Saul. He chooses rebellion over peace and hate over love. It is his way, not God’s way.
Witchcraft is an abomination to God. Most people never consider this fact. Many fail to associate their rebellious ways with something that is such an abomination. However, God abhors rebelliousness against righteousness.
THIRD TEST – CHOOSE DAVID’S ARMOR OVER SAUL’S
Think back to all we have studied in the books of I and II Samuel so far. We saw contrasts with the ways David and Saul chose to do battle as their life challenges presented themselves.
Saul put on heavy metal armor every time he went out to fight his enemies. His helmet was secured and he carried shield and sword. This was the way the world around him had decided to fight battles. Saul trusted the physical things he could touch and see. He depended upon his own strength.
On the other hand, David used his confidence in God Almighty. His strength came from the invisible things of faith. His little slingshot and five small pebbles could do more with God’s support and help than all of Saul’s shields and swords from the world. David trusted God for the strength he needed. David passed the test.
Absalom does not chose to fight like David. He fights like the former king named Saul. Absalom uses rebellious emotions and takes revenge instead of humbly trusting God for help. This physically beautiful man might have been David’s beautiful son, but he was nothing like his father.
FOURTH TEST – ABSALOM’S SELF-CENTERED ATTITUDE
As we said earlier, you can tell a lot about a man’s character when you notice how they deal with adversity. With Absalom it was his way or the highway. He had no patience for anything else. Absalom wasn’t the king. David was King of Israel. It was David who was chosen by God to lead the people of Israel. Absalom had not learned this lesson.
Maybe David was watching his son to know for sure how much he could trust him in the future. Perhaps this is the same way our Heavenly Father watches us. Will we be like David, or will we chose the way of Absalom?
THE REBELLION BEGINS
Absalom’s approach to David’s lack of attention tells us a lot about the kind of person who was hiding behind that handsome face he presented to the crowds. His face was beautiful but his heart was bitter.
David’s lack of attention to his presence seemed to bother Absalom greatly. Being the center of attention was very important to Absalom. In frustration, he looked for other ways to gain attention from the throne.
When none of his selfish schemes seemed to work, Absalom began to scheme against his Father. It wasn’t obvious, it was devious. He appeared to be trying to help, but he was actually plotting to overthrow the throne of David.
ALL THE WRONG CHOICES
Have you ever tried to deal with a “friend” who was attempting to help you in this way? It isn’t any fun. I’m sure David saw through what Absalom was doing. However, again, he seemed to forgive this son, even before repentance.
David allowed Absalom to chose his way. He didn’t interfere with Absalom’s choices. Absalom made all of the wrong choices. Finally, after realizing Absalom’s choices, David turned his head away. He allowed Absalom to continue the charade of authority.
SUMMARY
Our Father has given us this same free will. We make our own choices. If we chose our Father’s way, he turns toward us. However, if we decide to stand against Him, our Father looks away from us. Let’s strive to make choices that draw YHVH closer and closer.
VERSE
Deuteronomy 30:19: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and cursings; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”
SONG
Casting Crowns – God of All My Days (Official Lyric Video) https://youtu.be/ZYkZE8AogDE?si=EMmnjn0jOjwk47Gn
PRAYER
Father, You have given us the patterns which lead to righteousness. Help us to see and obey Your will for our lives. Guide us in every choice that we make. Let us trust you as David did. Protect us from ourselves so that we do not fail to see Your ways over our own choices. Thank you for being a God of peace and unity. Keep us from being rebellious servants and help us to walk in the light of Yeshua’s perfect examples. Amen.
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