Loyalty
Some questions can be quite revealing.
Revealing in the sense that they tell you something about the one asking the questions, the person to whom the questions are addressed, the level of relationships and perhaps expectations.
Here is a perfect example of what I am talking about: “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (Genesis 3:11 New King James Version.)
Here is a brief background to my subject.
King David had left Jerusalem with his mighty men to escape from the coup of his son Absalom.
The camp of the dethroned King David came up with a plan to send a spy into Absalom’s camp to find out his plans.
Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him. And so it was, when Hushai the Arkite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” So Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” 2 Samuel 16:15 – 17 NKJV
Is this your loyalty to your friend?
The New Living Translation says “Is this the way you treat your friend David?”
My fascination with this question comes from my little knowledge of some of the things that Absalom had been up to in his dealings with close family. Absalom was the last person I would expect to question the loyalty of anyone. I just wonder what his definitions of the words loyalty and friend were.
This is a list of the little bit that I have read about Absalom; not in a chronological order though:
· He had murdered his half-brother Amnon for the rape of his sister Tamar.
· He escapes the wrath of his father David but manages to use another not-to be trusted relative, Joab, to obtain pardon from his father and return to Jerusalem.
· This was after he had gained the attention of Joab by burning down his field of barley. He knew how to get the attention of the murderous Joab who had twice refused to see him.
· This is the same Absalom who had used trickery to steal the hearts of the people from David.
2 Samuel 15:1-6
1 ¶ After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, "What city are you from?" And he would say, "Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel."
3 Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you."
4 Moreover Absalom would say, "Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice."
5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.
6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Is this your loyalty to your friend? Really, Absalom? Is this your loyalty to your father?
Loyalty? Friendship? Confidant?
Nothing theological about this whole topic, is there? Perhaps you would want to reflect on the two statements below and answer the question whether this is theological or not.
• "If your theology doesn't change your behaviour, it will never change your destiny." - Charles Spurgeon.
• "A doctrine has practical value only as far as it is prominent in our thoughts and makes a difference in our lives” A. W. Tozer.
When Hushai agreed to go into the camp of Absalom, he was risking his life. And so the answer to the question of Absalom regarding loyalty or the demonstration of love to his friend David, a modern day Hushai would say:
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13 NKJV
A personal question for you, my dear reader:
· Is there someone you can call a friend or confidant?
· Does anyone call you a friend or confidant?
· If not, why not?
One of the deepest and saddest comments ever to be made of a minister of Christ is that he or she cannot be trusted.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” John 1:47
Life is about relationships.
Jesus upgraded His relationship with His disciples when He called them friends.
Friendship is the basis of Christian revelation and therefore relationships do matter.
"No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
Can I get a bit personal with you, please?
· What is your relationship with your presbytery, have you got any confidants, people who have got your back for godly reasons and not for what they can get from you or vice versa?
· How loyal are you to God and to His Word?
· How do you fare on the integrity scale?
· No doubt you have heard of the ministerial attribute called “skilfulness of hands and integrity of heart?” Psalm 78:72
Hopefully I have not been too personal but if I have permit me to say Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27:6
“Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”
Last food for thought: “Is this your loyalty to my father? Why did you not go with my father?”
Your friend or my father?
Relationships indeed do matter.