Joab hears that Abner, his opposite number on the side of
the remainder of Israel as commander of the army, has been in the camp and
David has let him go peaceably. As a
military man, Joab is quick to conclude it is a deceit and a trap to kill David
as now the leader knows David's movements.
Additionally, Joab has a personal motive for hatred and distrust of
Abner, he was responsible for the death of Joab's brother. Little wonder then that he chose to work his
own deception and murder. For his part,
David mourns after Abner, the man who until very recently had been his enemy
and pays him homage, requiring even Joab to join the mourners for a great
man. This genuineness in David causes
the hearts of the people to go out after him all the more, he is proving his
greatness by his care for all, even his former enemies.
These were heady days for the disciples. They had just been out on their own mission
and seen people healed and other amazing things. They had just seen Jesus feed five thousand
men with what they knew to be no provision at all, and now they were fearing
because the wind and waves were against them.
Even the fishermen on board were afraid and suddenly Jesus appears
walking on the water and no one can believe it.
Who could? When he gets into the
boat, the storm ceases, exactly the opposite of which happened with Jonah. Now, they are more amazed. When they hit land the people converge on
them bringing more and more who need healing.
It must have seemed truly that the whole world was going after Him, and
they were right there with Him. The future
must have seemed bright and limitless.
Why is Paul so upset with the slave girl with the gift of
divination? It seems it would be good to
have such a herald announcing the truth.
The problem is that the spirit wasn't from God and while it did draw
attention to the men with the truth, it also drew attention to itself and
rather than authenticating the message simply confused it. Which spirit was the one to have here, the one
Paul and Silas had telling the truth or the one the girl had that could discern
truth about truth? It is almost as
though her gift was greater than theirs.
Paul's action in commanding this spirit, however, settled the matter and
delivered the girl but infuriated her owners.
Their accusation against the men is spurious. They cannot cite the truth because it is then
a personal matter only and not enough for arrest. They incite the crowds which is not all that
difficult to do if you bring the right charge, and Paul and Silas are beaten
with rods and arrested. Jesus never
promised following Him was going to be painless or easy, He promised it was
taking up a cross. We see Joab, the
disciples and the crowd living by the spirit of the world, that doesn't
understand eternity, and too often we live by that spirit rather than the
Spirit which guided all that Jesus did.
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