SATURDAY 10 September, 2016
Hand Him Over
And Joab answered and said, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy! That is not so. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city.” - 2 Samuel 20:20-21
The wise woman’s words to Joab had worked. He informed her of the reason why he had besieged the city––Sheba had raised his hand against the king in rebellion. As the captain of the king’s army he had now come from Jerusalem to crush this self-exalted rebel. But the forceful decisions he was making in finding Sheba was not God’s perfect will!
Seriously, why do you think Joab was doing this? I believe with all my heart he wanted to come back to David to show him that he loved him and he had done exactly what his king wanted. Then David would think Joab was the only one he could possibly trust in this position.
Then Joab gave the wise woman the solution, hand over the culprit and he would cease the assault. Through the wise woman’s words, Abel, the city known for finding guidance, had found their own peaceful solution to stop the attack on their city. The people would be safe, but Sheba would be sought out. When found, he would be met with a terrible end.
If only people would listen to the wisdom of God’s words. In the Bible, sinners are warned to turn and repent. God is love and desires for all of us to be saved. He has made provision for our salvation (John 3:16). Those who rebel against God will be handed over to His angels and will experience the torments of eternal death. Jesus in a parable warned:
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,and will cast them into the furnace of fire… (Matthew 13: 41-42).
…He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
~Matthew 13:43~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!