After finally assembling themselves together, King David, Abishai, Joab, and even Amasa the procrastinator, as well as all the mighty men, are poised and positioned for victory as they leave Jerusalem in pursuit of their enemy Sheba. However, as the story unfolds, we find that something extremely important is amiss, which we will address shortly. See if you can't identify what it is…
2 Samuel 20:8 (KJV)
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before
them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon
it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof;
and as he went forth it fell out.
Well, it sounds to me like Amasa, the procrastinator, might have learned from his mistakes, for the Bible says he was now out in front! Rather than tarrying as he had before, Amasa was leading in the pursuit of Sheba. It may be possible he wasn’t fond of the idea of Abishai fulfilling his role as first commander. Of course, we can only speculate, but perhaps Amasa also didn't like the shameful way he felt about himself when he saw he had let his king down. I would like to hope that was the case. Everybody wants to find favor with the king, amen? Certainly as believers we should all strive to please our Lord! All the same, it seems Amasa, the king’s nephew, had turned over a new leaf and purposed in his heart never to procrastinate again over the responsibilities he had been given. Praise the Lord for those Christians who would repent of their wrong behavior and decide to do right!
Psalm 119:59 (KJV)
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
Now ladies, what do you think about a brother or sister in the Lord who
has a change of heart? How do you feel when you are running side by side
of another Christian who falls out of the race and then gets back in again,
as did Amasa? Were you happy when they fell out because it caused you
to look better, caused you to appear like more of a faithful servant to
the king, or provided you an advanced position in which to serve? Come
on, be honest - were you just a tiny bit happy inwardly at the outward
manifestation of their shortcomings? Let's say that you and I experienced
some of those feelings in regard to this story… Would that make
us a friend or an enemy to Amasa?? We'll look to Joab to answer that question
for us as we read further down in verses 9 & 10....
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
What happened?? I thought everything was going so well, didn't you?? Beware ladies, of those who would lavish false tokens of affection upon you in time of crisis, for in the end the deceitful intentions of their deepest heart will be unveiled… The Bible is right; the kisses of an enemy ARE deceitful! Such was the case with Joab, Abishai’s brother, who shortly after assembling together with Amasa to do battle against the REAL enemy now took this opportunity to murder Amasa, a fellow soldier and the mistrusted successor to his brother’s position. Joab certainly did not take a peaceful approach toward his conflicts in life, amen? We find then in Joab's life, a ruthless competitor to Amasa, that personal revenge took precedence over the kingdom and even the king's interests...
Has a revengeful attitude toward another brother or sister in the Lord ever taken precedence over God's business in your life? Has it ever hindered the Lord's work from being carried out altogether? Have you ever been guilty of slaying that one who had fallen and would get up again to serve the King? What is at the root of such behavior? At what point did Joab lose sight of service to the king and doing right?? Verse 8 points out the answer to us very clearly - it is when the sword fell out of his sheath! You see ladies, the sword is our key weapon to fighting properly…
Ephes. 6:17b (KJV)
...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Yes, Joab let loose of the Word of God; he became careless with it and used it improperly. With his murderous, competitive heart, Joab slew his comrade just as Christians do today to one another! As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Joab didn't plan on having the sword fall out of his sheath on purpose. I'll bet he unfastened it before he approached Amasa so that as he leaned forward to get off his horse it would fall out… That way, as he bent over to pick the sword up, Amasa would not suspect he was about to use it against him, though it was in his hand. And to think this crime took place with Abishai standing by… It’s hard to imagine he knew nothing about this idea of his brother’s. Actually, at various points in time each of these men has held the same position as first commander to the king… You see, during Absalom’s rebellion against his father, King David, Amasa had been chosen to replace Joab as commander. Clearly Joab did not forget this offensive incident. The more of a plot there is to sinful behavior, the worse it is. Incidentally, you aren't plotting any sin today, are you, dear lady?? Like all of God's children, this group of men was once united in the service of the king, but division came when the sword was no longer tightly fastened around Joab's loins and positioned for proper use. It seems to me that power appears to be more important than truth…
Ephes. 6:14 (KJV)
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on
the breastplate of righteousness;
When Amasa met up with Joab, no doubt his military dress was quite impressive. Many who hold a sword in their hand seem impressive to us, amen? Likewise, when someone carries a Bible around does it cause us to drop our guard and assume the individual is for our good? You see, scripture says in verse 10 that Amasa took no heed to the subtle, self-serving way Joab was using his sword! Amasa was totally unaware of the detrimental context in which Joab was using his weapon. No wonder we've got casualties in the Lord's field! Are you keeping your eye on the Sword? Ladies, far too many of God's children are guilty of not revering the Word of God like they should. Many of us are not skilled in our understanding of the scriptures, and end up deceived by wrong doctrines that come our way. Impressive individuals, those wearing a suit and tie, with a Bible in their hand, can deliver deceptive doctrines. Because we have loosened our hold on it, truth has lost its rightful place in the lives of God's people. Instead of an instrument of righteousness to keep us from the enemy, many use the Sword of the Spirit as Joab did, to achieve their own desires. Every soldier of the King must heed the Holy Scriptures! Truth must be obeyed - EVERY word - not just that which is convenient for us. The Bible must not be taken lightly or used out of context, for as we've seen today, the results will be treacherous! Learn from Amasa… If you are careless with the counsel of God's Word, it will smite you for lack of discernment; you'll die by it. However, if you wisely heed the whole counsel of God, it will preserve and protect you your whole life long!
Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of
the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart.
Psalm 119:9-10 (KJV)
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto
according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me
not wander from thy commandments.
Ladies, the attitude you and I take toward the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit, will leave our lives an example for all to see. The question is, what kind of an example? Will we lead people in the right direction or will our lives prevent our fellow soldiers from continuing on in their walk with the Lord? Surely you don't want to end up like Amasa…
2 Samuel 20:12-13 (KJV)
And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the
man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway
into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one
that came by him stood still. When he was removed out of the highway,
all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
I wonder what those soldiers who stood over Amasa's body were thinking as his life was laid plainly before them… If you should die today and people were to stand still over your corpse, what thoughts would go through their minds? "Here lies a godly person who lived their life wisely?" Or, "What a shame that her life was wasted like this, I wonder what happened to her?" Ladies, no matter how we die, our testimony will still cause others to stop and consider where their lives are headed! Unfortunately, sometimes our testimonies are louder in death than they are in life… What message will your life hold? What message is it sending forth now? Don't let it be a testimony of one who has lost sight of the Word of God!
Psalm 119:37 (KJV)
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy
way.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 1999 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
