Psalm 97, 99; 2 Samuel 14:1-20; Acts 21:1-14; Mark 10:1-16
Joab devises a plan to end Absalom’s banishment. He sent for a “wise woman” from Tekoa, the home of the later prophet Amos, and has her tell David a concocted tale of woe concerning her own two sons and asks for David’s help in resolving a dilemma. David has compassion on her and offers to intervene in order to preserve the life of her living son. She then comes clean that her story is simply a parabolic statement of David’s own life and his decision concerning Absalom. David immediately recognizes Joab is behind this and the woman is truthful in her response to his query in this regard. Again, David values life and understands the finality of death in his decisions. Sometimes we need to distance ourselves from painful situations in order to see clearly and this woman, with Joab’s help, provides David with the distance necessary to make the right decision. Absalom will continue to disappoint and he never repents of what he has done, but David now is prepared to have compassion on his son.
Jesus is asked about divorce and the law of Moses but He moves the discussion backwards in time to the beginning of things. We need to always go back to the original intention of God and in this case we know exactly what that was with respect to marriage, that the two would become one. Jesus’ words are precise, Moses wrote this commandment. God did not write that commandment, but He did write one on the tablets of the law about adultery and it is to this commandment that Jesus appeals as final arbiter of the matter. The logic is something like, Moses wrote this commandment, but God wrote this commandment and the two are in conflict so which one will you choose to obey, Moses’ or God’s. We need to take marriage and divorce more seriously in the church. We need to be discerning about these matters and take great care in preparation and in the marriage itself. In our ceremony, we all who attend take vows to support these persons in their marriage and we need to speak into situations where the marriage is at risk.
Prophecy is an interesting thing. In two places here, both in Tyre and at the house of Philip the evangelist, Paul is confronted with prophecy that he should not go to Jerusalem because he will be imprisoned and suffer there and yet Paul continues on his way. What is the role of a prophet? The prophet is to speak the words given to her/him but not necessarily to give guidance. Paul needs to pray and discern what he is to do with the knowledge given to him by these prophets and, for whatever reason, he ignores their warnings even though he affirms that they are right, this is what will happen to him in Jerusalem. He believes these things to be God’s will. Would any of react this way naturally? We would all be thankful for the prophecy and assume that it meant we should not go to Jerusalem and yet God never promised our lives would be free from pain and suffering and Jesus knew perfectly well what He would face in the incarnation and came anyway. Prophecy is a wonderful thing but we have to also discern God’s will for ourselves with respect to our response. Did David pray about the matter concerning Absalom? Jesus changed the question concerning divorce to, “what does God say about it?” We always need to ask that question.
People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His Name.
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