BETRAYED BY ONE’S OWN!
BETRAYED BY ONE’S OWN!
“I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king, and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace.” And the advice seemed right in the eyes of Absalom and all the elders of Israel. —II Samuel 17:2-4
“And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. —Luke 21:9-17
Ahithophel, Absalom’s counselor, gave counsel to immediately pursue David and kill just him and bring all the people back to join with David. But when Absalom asked Hushai (David’s old counselor who faked allegiance to Absalom) his counsel, he diverted Absalom from immediately pursuing David and sent word of the counsel that he gave Absalom. This gave David the opportunity to get completely away.
How sad that one’s own son would try to kill their own father. But that is what Absalom wanted to do to put himself in a place of power as king. We may wonder how a son could do this and would try to do this. But we are told that in the last time “You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” How sad that relatives will betray their own just because they follow Jesus! They will do this knowing that those they betray will be put to death. Followers of Jesus will be hated by everyone just because they claim the Name of Jesus and live for Him.
Of course, we see this today in some intolerant religious countries. It may not be too long before we see it come to this nation with how things are moving at the present time. One thing for sure… It will happen! Dear Father, so please help me to faithfully follow Jesus now and when things may be difficult. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Dear and precious Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb8WZ2ND4BY&list=RDYb8WZ2ND4BY&start_radio=1