TOPIC: ABNER’S EXAMPLE OF BUILDING RECONCILIATION
TEXT: 2 Samuel 2:25-32(NKJV)
- 2:25. Now the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became a unit, and took their stand on top of a hill.
- 2:26. Then Abner called to Joab and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?”
- 2:27. And Joab said, “[As] God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren.”
- 2:28. So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore.
- 2:29. Then Abner and his men went on all that night through the plain, crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron; and they came to Mahanaim.
- 2:30. So Joab returned from pursuing Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.
- 2:31. But the servants of David had struck down, of Benjamin and Abner’s men, three hundred and sixty men who died.
- 2:32. Then they took up Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb, which [was in] Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at daybreak.
STUDY:
In today’s passage, Abner calls to Joab for reconciliation after the loss of many generals in both camps. He said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?” This statement made Joab to instruct his warriors to stop pursuing Abner’s army.
The two commanders thereafter, returned to their bases. David also showed true reconciliation and love for those who hated him. He had learnt to leave vengeance for God, and would not personally strike those appointed by God over his people, not even in his bid to become king. Abner handed the kingdom over to David, but died in the hands of the son of Zeruiah, for his previous sin against them.
Friend, if you want reconciliation with God, you have to be reconciled with other people. You cannot live in harmony with your heavenly Father unless you are living in harmony with your fellow human beings. What rift is there between you and your brothers and sisters, that you think cannot be resolved? God wants you to settle it today; please, bury the hatchets.
Be bold enough to take the step like Abner and make the first move. It takes humility to initiate reconciliation. It is a good price to pay. Restoring a cracked relationship is like mending a broken wall. This requires purposeful and intentional actions.
To have genuine reconciliation, the parties involved must admit their faults and be ready to repair all damages. That is exactly what you should do as a child of God. God has set the example for us in Jesus Christ, who came as our Reconciler. You can also follow in his steps today.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me to reconcile with you and with all who offend me, Amen!
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