2 Jun 2008

The doom of Absalom was discussed earlier. The next person to study is Joab, commander of David's army.


His brother was killed in an earlier battle (2 Sam 2:18-23) and he took revenge into his own hand, because David had made peace with Abner, and killed Abner.


2Sam 3:24 Then Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone? 25 You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”


Reading from today text in 2 Sam 20:9 And Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab's hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died.


Who is this Amasa? 2 Sam 19: 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’”


Joab probably knew this.

The story will continue and assuming we stop here, what we can learn from Joab and what do you think he will do next.


The actions that David did to Joab, I believed, Joab will sonner or later rebell. Right or wrong?

Again, it is a matter of the heart - anger and unjust. To Joab, he has suffered much for David and yet the actions of David did not seem right to Joab.


2 Sam 19: 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, 6 because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased. 7 Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.”


What is then our reaction to the unjust that we faced? Nevertheless, ask whether the justice we are going to take is it going against God and what is God-wise.


The fault lines has to be remove, else the resent will continue to build and if sins and actions did that is against the Lord being justified, we fall.


Till now the story of Joab will continue..


I pray that my heart will be check for anger and resentment. Let them not dwell in my heart that I may sin against the Lord. Replace them with the love of Jesus and recall how he has suffered a lot more unjust than any of us. Let the one who has no sin throw the first stone.


Of course, being the one in authority, I pray for decernment and the abilty to deal with matter so that I will not create fault lines and thus create unnecessary reblellion.


John 21
Peter and his disciple went back fishing, but the whole night they caught nothing. When Jesus came and asked them to throw the net on the right side, they caught fishes. Immediately, they recognized Jesus.


One thing the Lord is trying to teach and showed me in this passage is, I am always going back and will go back to do what is best that I know. But it is the Lord who showed that it is He who want to bless. It is not about what I can do, but what the Lord want me to do.


During breakfast, Jesus said - Feed my lambs, Tend my sheep, Feed my sheep and Follow me.


The world has it own interpretation of what is the best way to do a task, but the Lord is not about the tasks. You can fish all night and caught nothing. But when the Lord bless, He will provides. More importantly is that fellowship at breakfast - the time alone with Jesus, enjoying the time with the Lord and the fish that the Lord has provided.


I do not want to interprete what is best for the work in Yunnan and neither do I want to set the right and ought thing to do - business - chruch - gospel etc. Enjoy the fellowhisp. "Follow me".


The call to feed and tend the sheep is about the heart - it is about the love for Jesus. If you love me - feed, tend my sheep. Follow the heart beat of Jesus.


I pray that I will keep close to the heart of Jesus, as simply as loving Him. And allow Him to do a deeper work in me. By following, I will be able to fish more, by His display of love, you will show me how to feed and tend your sheep.


I pray for Kiew, whom I had conversation in the morning - a sense of unjust based on the worldly standard on religion and money. The Lord love him and this love is not based on what is logical, not based on money and not based on a ritual of a religion. Simply love.


I pray for KC's father and pray that I have the time next week to meet him. Lead me to show love and has the opportunity to reveal Jesus to him.


I thank you for Rachael. Yes indeed, the Lord has guide and loved her. Use her talents and her time further for your purpose in her. Raise her up in her own sphere of contacts and empower her to feed and tend your sheep.


I pray for my children that they will continue to learn and know the Lord each day.


I pray for my father heart - that you soften him to see the love of God has for him.