Feeling Ostracized?
And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king’s face. Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come. - >2 Samuel 14:28-29
Even though Absalom had returned to his home he still felt ostracized from his father. Perhaps he felt humiliated in front of the people of Israel as they knew he had lost favor with the king. He needed an audience with the king. Perhaps as Joab was influential in getting him back home, he could assist him further and arrange for him to see his father. He sent for Joab twice but Joab seemingly ignored Absalom.
Moses was a true man of influence. Exodus 33:11 describes his close relationship with the Lord: So the Lordspoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend… Moses had an older sister Miriam and on one occasion she caused division by murmuring against her brother’s leadership and his recent marriage. She incited her brother Aaron in her rebellion. The Lord held her responsible and she was struck with leprosy.
Miriam was chastised by the Lord for what she had spoken privately. She had to be placed outside the camp of Israel. It must have been a humbling experience. She must have felt completely ostracized. Moses prayed for his estranged sister and the Lord healed her of the leprosy. Only then was she restored back into fellowship (Numbers 12).
Are you feeling ostracized? Examine your life and see if you are to blame for finding yourself in a place of isolation. If you know you are being chastised, humble yourself before the Lord. Reach out to another Christian friend and ask for prayer. Reconciliation cannot be demanded; it comes through humility, prayer, God’s mercy and His perfect timing.
Adversity does not fall out to us by chance,
but is the method by which God arouses us to repentance.
~John Calvin~
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