19 SEPTEMBER

INSTANT JUDGEMENT FOR WICKEDNESS

“For when they came into the house, he was lying on his bed in his bedroom; then they struck him and killed him, beheaded him and took his head, and were all night escaping through the plain.” (2 Samuel 4:7, NKJV)

Baanah and Rechab were trusted captains of the Israelite troops. They had come into the king’s house, pretending that they wanted to collect wheat. They might have joked and played with the guards who trusted them while they walked into Ishbosheth’s bedroom and killed him on his bed. They ruthlessly cut off his head to present, as a trophy, to David, expecting a reward.

These two men were wicked, evil and cold–blooded murderers. They killed with the expectation of gain (gift or promotion). This is not strange in our time where wickedness abounds and we hear of violence and bloodshed daily. God created us in His own image–to love Him, and to love and bear one another’s burdens, not to destroy one another. God is merciful and longsuffering, giving man time for repentance. This is why we rarely see instant judgement these days, as in the Old Testament times.

The two captains in our text idolised David and the gains of success. In their greed for worldly success, they misjudged David’s character. David loved righteousness and hated wickedness and so he ordered their immediate execution for their wickedness. Even though present day judgement may not be instant, it will surely come, either in this world or in the world to come; for “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, NKJV)

In a world that cares more about “success”, Christ calls us to care more about what is right and, like David, allow Him to work out His purpose in our lives.

ACTION: Are your priorities set right? Are you more concerned about instant wealth and fame or about eternal values? Read Matthew 6:33 and realign where necessary.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, fill me with grace to daily esteem your approval, far above the approval of men.