April 30: EXPLORING AN ANCIENT MYSTERY (part 4)
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. In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgement. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 15:5-6
This historical account parallels the rebellion that took place in Heaven. It began as a selfish inclination in the heart of the leading angel, who cherished and nurtured it over time. As a cover for his secret motive, he feigned interest in the welfare and freedom of the other angels. His message was that God is unreasonably restrictive, a liar, withholding blessings, and does not have their best interest at heart.* If only Lucifer were in charge, things would be so much better. The more he talked, the more he believed his own lies. . .
God, in His omniscience, certainly knew what was going on in Lucifer's heart. But if He had suddenly destroyed him, the angels' motivation for obedience would have shifted from love to terror. Ironically, this would have reinforced the ideas of God’s “unloving nature” voiced by Lucifer: that God is a selfish withholder of blessings and is threatened by anyone who disagrees with Him. Obedience born of terror is not genuine obedience. It is insincere and cannot last. No, Almighty God is patiently allowing evil to play out before the eyes of the universe, so that all may see and decide for themselves that His way brings true happiness and health, genuine joy, and eternal security.
In the story of Absalom, his sinister plan erupted into a full-blown rebellion; the handsome prince attempted to assassinate his own father in order to capture the throne of Israel. King David and his loyal followers fled from Jerusalem, but Absalom’s pursuit led to a severe battle and Absalom was slain (2 Samuel 18:15).
In today’s opening verse, there are parallels with the behavior of heaven’s most handsome angel: . . . he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgement. The acts of Satan are on display before the universe. Those lacking spiritual discernment will readily accept his emissaries who offer a hand or a kiss to positively reinforce their own selfish plans and actions. By “joining the church” (Revelation 2:13,24), Satan intercepts many who are seeking to learn of God. Instead of hearing the truth, they are soothed with flattering fables (2 Timothy 4:4) and lulled into spiritual lethargy and numbness. Because of Satan's influence and conditioning, the saving truth of God seems like heresy to many, and those who preach it seem like heretics! (v.3 – see also 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. Beloved, if you do not believe and seek to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4), your heart is ripe for the picking – to be misled by your worst enemy. The Lord knows our frame and our vulnerability (Psalm 103:14; Jeremiah 17:9). We must be on guard to discern deviations from His truth. His Holy Spirit stands ready at all times to provide divine assistance, requiring only that you ask (Luke 11:13).
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. Proverbs 16:22
*see Genesis 3:1-6