“Absalom rebelled because he was proud” (10 mins.)
Feeling proud of something we have done is not all bad. When one feels that satisfaction of having done things in the proper way, in a way that brings true satisfaction, then we can feel proud. But when this pride has another purpose of exalting us or believing us more than others, there comes the problem. And even sometimes we can go manipulating or plotting certain situations to achieve a purpose.
And that's what we're going to talk about in Treasures of the Bible: "Absalom rebelled because he was proud." That is the topic we will deal with. And bad pride is what we are going to talk about. What exactly is that pride? It is excessive self-esteem, an unreasonable feeling of superiority in terms of one's talents, wisdom, beauty, wealth, or rank. It is usually displayed outwardly by an arrogant, conceited or conceited demeanor.
The previous week we were already talking about Absalom, that he came from a family where they were distinguished by being beautiful, both his sister Tamar and his daughter, who also came to be called Tamar. They had outstanding beauty and that made him feel more arrogant and he tried to seek the support of the Israelites to usurp, to steal the throne of David, his father. He liked to draw a lot of attention.
LET'S READ: 2 Samuel 15:1.
1 After all this, Absalom got a chariot, horses, and 50 men to run ahead of him.
This was a way to get attention. According to the Insight book it mentions in volume two on page 693, that it was very common in the East to get people to go ahead of the royal chariot, running to prepare to announce the arrival of the king, as well as lend him any help he needed. Can you imagine 50 men who were running in front of his carriage to attract attention, to add prestige and apparent approval to these rebellions that were beginning.
He tried to take advantage of his beauty and, of course, to call himself the son of King David. In our case, if we examine the situation and apply it to ourselves, what do you have that can attract the attention of others? Maybe he's very skilled at giving a speech from the platform. The brothers say words of admiration to him for how well he performs. When giving a speech, using very good illustrations, using the Bible appropriately to reach people's hearts?
Well, if so, you have to admit that you have a nice gift. But what is he using it for? To draw attention to himself or to cause people to be touched in their hearts by the truth? We must examine the reason for what we are doing. And it is that Absalom here wanted to attract attention, but not only by leading 50 men ahead of his chariot.
LET'S READ: 2 Samuel 15:2,6.
2 And Absalom would get up early and stand by the road that went to the gate of the city. When a man had to bring a legal case before the king for justice, Absalom would call him and ask, "What city are you from?" The man replied: "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel." 3 And Absalom said to him: “Look, what you ask is fair and reasonable. But there is no one on the king's side to hear your case." 4 Then Absalom added: “If only they would appoint me judge in the land! That way anyone who had a legal case or a dispute could come to see me and I would see to it that justice was served.” 5 When a man came to bow down to him, Absalom stretched out his hand, lifted him up, and kissed him. 6 Absalom did this with all the Israelites who came to see the king to ask for justice. In this way,
What was Absalom's intention in giving this treatment to the people? Win their approval, steal their hearts and seek their support. Not only to be a judge, as he requested here, but to become the king. Possibly he had the ability to listen to others, but he would have used that gift to sincerely help them, to encourage others to appreciate his father more, who had people who cared but who were always directing attention to the king, Jehovah's anointed .
If we keep giving the app to us. If we are good speakers, if you give a good public speech, what is your intention? Why not help to better understand the biblical texts. That the brothers have a practical value in what we say, that they know how to apply it, whether in their personal lives, in the ministry or when dealing with other people in different fields. We want to be good teachers with the real right motive, teach the truth, and make people who are brothers love Jehovah more.
LET'S READ: 2 Samuel 15:10,12.
10 Absalom now sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel with these instructions: “As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, announce this: 'Absalom has become king in Hebron!'”11 And it turns out that 200 men from Jerusalem had gone there with Absalom. They were invited and they went without suspecting anything because they did not know what was happening. 12 Moreover, when he offered the sacrifices, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, who was David's adviser and was in Gilo his city. The conspiracy continued to gain strength and more and more people were supporting Absalom.
That was the real reason for so much interest in people. To tell them that if there was someone in the royal court who would treat them fairly, he would be the one. His true motive came to light. Conspire against the throne of David. Everything was well planned. He sought out the city of Hebron from there to usurp or attempt to usurp the throne of David, his father. It is likely that he chose it there because it was of historical importance. This city, besides that was the hometown of Absalom himself.
This man, instead of using his gifts to promote the worship of Jehovah and respect for his father, sought to draw attention to himself. We also want to be careful with the gift we have. We always want to do things as for Jehovah. May he be the one to receive the honor he deserves and may we be a mere instrument to direct our great Creator so that people deeply love Jehovah.
How nice it is when a Christian has the fervent desire to help others, to instruct others, always directing so that Jehovah receives honor and glory. That our motives are correct and those motives have the sole purpose of praising Jehovah with the gift that he himself has given us.
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