QT 4/19/2023 2 Sam 20:15-22, Unchecked emotions

2 Samuel 20:15–22 (ESV) —

15 And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. 16 Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’ ” 17 And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 18 Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. 19 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?” 20 Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

 

NOTE: The solution is elegant, clean, and distasteful. I really can't blame the wise woman or Joab, Sheba is the cause. He is a hot head who let his anger overcome him. He would be the person committing road rage if he lived today. So, in one sense, we feel for Sheba, they seem destined to destroy themselves. Was it their family, their upbringing, some crisis that brought Sheba to the point of uncontrolled anger? It is important to have relief valves for our emotions, not just anger but all emotions. And the best relief valve is prayer. The second best is a friend who can challenge the excesses. If not, it is only time before a catastrophe will occur. Today, this world has much anger and no relief valves. Crimes are being committed and people are dying because they lack hope and the most excellent of relief valves, a relationship with God. That is why we must pray so much, so that people can see that our lives are not consumed by anger but by the gentle peace that comes only from God.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I have a daily habit of prayer?
2. Are my prayers rote or relational?
3. Do I truly know God or do I just say it without knowing what it means?

 

PRAYER: Father, this world needs your true sons and daughters to live in a manner that is amazingly different. We can't do it without time with you. Continue to speak to my heart. Root out the garbage. Give me the peace that surpasses all understanding.