WEDNESDAY 17 August, 2016
Deception and Slander
And he answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go to the king,’ because your servant is lame. And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes. - 2 Samuel 19:26-27
Even though Mephibosheth was from Saul’s linage, being the crippled son of Jonathan, he had not joined in Absalom’s rebellion. He told the truth and was able to expose Ziba for who he really was––a slanderer. He had fully taken advantage of Mephiboshethinabilities to follow David. Without giving aid to him, Ziba took the donkey instead and left him behind. When he reached David, he was questioned by the king:
Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me’” (2 Samuel 16:3).
Ziba lied to David and slandered Mephibosheth’scharacter; all in the hopes to gain the land given to his lame master for himself. God abhors lying and slander. In the book of Proverbs He makes it crystal clear:
These six things the Lordhates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Are you guilty of any of these things? Repent of them or face the terrible consequences.
Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor,
Him I will destroy;
~Psalm 101:5~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!