この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 1 of 2: 2 Sam 15
In this chapter Absalom rebels against his father David and usurps the throne by telling the people who come to Jerusalem seeking help that the king won’t give them justice, but he would (v.3-4). It was a blatant lie, but he repeated it many, many times until he stole the hearts of the people (v.6), i.e., brainwashed them!
This is a tactic used by many politicians and world leaders even today! A certain leader lost the previous election, but after that, he repeatedly told the people that he had actually won, and his opponent stole the election from him! His claims of election fraud were defeated in the court over 60 times! But he repeated the lie so many times that many people were deceived and believed him, even without any proof, so he won the next election!
Authoritarian governments control the media, repeat their lies incessantly and don’t allow any critical views. No doubt AC will also use these tactics. Let’s grow in wisdom so we won’t be deceived.
この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 2 of 2: 2 Sam 16
3 men are prominent in this chapter. Let’s see who they are and learn from them.
Ziba (v.1-4) was the servant of Saul whom David assigned to serve Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s lame son. Ziba met David with much food in v.1, then lied and said that Mephibosheth wanted to become king (in David’s place). David, thinking Mephibosheth had betrayed him, took Mephibosheth’s land and gave it to Ziba.
Shimei (v.5-14) was a man who openly cursed David as he was escaping from Absalom. David’s men wanted to kill him, but David spared him, thinking maybe one day God would repay the cursing with good (v.12).
Ahithophel (v.15-23) was an adviser of David who defected to Absalom. He advised Absalom to openly sleep with David’s concubines to influence Israel to side with him (v.21). This fulfilled Nathan’s prophecy (12:11-12).
In the end, Ziba’s lies were exposed, Shimei was killed, and Ahithophel committed suicide! They turned against David in his weakest moment and were judged when God restored David!
Let’s not disdain people when they are going through a trial! If we judge, we will be judged!
— Pastor Elmer Inafuku