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10 June 2007
2 Samuel 2 v 18-23
Zeruiah's three sons, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, were there. Now Asahel was a fast runner, as fast as a deer in the field. Asahel chased Abner, going straight toward him. 20 Abner looked back and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?"
Asahel said, "Yes, it is." Then Abner said to Asahel, "Turn to your right or left and catch one of the young men and take his armor." But Asahel refused to stop chasing him. Abner again said to Asahel, "Stop chasing me! If you don't stop, I'll have to kill you! Then I won't be able to face your brother Joab again!" But Asahel refused to stop chasing Abner. So using the back end of his spear, Abner stabbed Asahel in the stomach, and the spear came out of his back. Asahel died right there, and everyone stopped when they came to the place where Asahel's body lay.
It's a bit like Shakespeare, all this killing. What to say? It does seem that Abner wanted Asahel to get some armour on so he could injure him without killing him, but Asahel was having none of it. As a result, Abner does what everyone does in war; kill the other guy first. One thing worth pointing out is that in the true spirit of revenge Joab ends up killing Abner for killing his brother Asahel.
What can this say to us today! Maybe we can get a message about revenge? Jesus overturned the rule "an eye for an eye", which is about justice, or 'just' revenge. Instead he teaches us to forgive; to absorb the pain someone else has caused us and love them back instead. We can't do this without the Holy Spirit, but don't ask me how it works as its one of those bizarre mysteries.
Still, it does work. It requires of us a willingness to let go of our need for justice, and trust that God will sort it out. Most probably God will go and love them like he does everyone else (nothing if not predictable), even if there are consequences to their actions (like prison etc). It is one of those steps of maturity that we have to go through to if we want to become someone who is able to truly live a life of love, like God.
Jesus, teach me to forgive. Teach me to love. Let me experience the deep mystery of loving my enemies, and follow you and your saints along that wonderful path. Amen.
Written by Laurence Keith
2 Samuel 2 v 18-23
Zeruiah's three sons, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, were there. Now Asahel was a fast runner, as fast as a deer in the field. Asahel chased Abner, going straight toward him. 20 Abner looked back and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?"
Asahel said, "Yes, it is." Then Abner said to Asahel, "Turn to your right or left and catch one of the young men and take his armor." But Asahel refused to stop chasing him. Abner again said to Asahel, "Stop chasing me! If you don't stop, I'll have to kill you! Then I won't be able to face your brother Joab again!" But Asahel refused to stop chasing Abner. So using the back end of his spear, Abner stabbed Asahel in the stomach, and the spear came out of his back. Asahel died right there, and everyone stopped when they came to the place where Asahel's body lay.
It's a bit like Shakespeare, all this killing. What to say? It does seem that Abner wanted Asahel to get some armour on so he could injure him without killing him, but Asahel was having none of it. As a result, Abner does what everyone does in war; kill the other guy first. One thing worth pointing out is that in the true spirit of revenge Joab ends up killing Abner for killing his brother Asahel.
What can this say to us today! Maybe we can get a message about revenge? Jesus overturned the rule "an eye for an eye", which is about justice, or 'just' revenge. Instead he teaches us to forgive; to absorb the pain someone else has caused us and love them back instead. We can't do this without the Holy Spirit, but don't ask me how it works as its one of those bizarre mysteries.
Still, it does work. It requires of us a willingness to let go of our need for justice, and trust that God will sort it out. Most probably God will go and love them like he does everyone else (nothing if not predictable), even if there are consequences to their actions (like prison etc). It is one of those steps of maturity that we have to go through to if we want to become someone who is able to truly live a life of love, like God.
Jesus, teach me to forgive. Teach me to love. Let me experience the deep mystery of loving my enemies, and follow you and your saints along that wonderful path. Amen.
Written by Laurence Keith
